Massive sewer break shuts North Shore beaches as sewage floods the Merrimack River
A ruptured 42-inch sewer main in Haverhill during heavy rain released about 8 million gallons of wastewater per day into the Merrimack River, prompting closures of North Shore beaches (Salisbury Beach, Sandy Point in Ipswich, and Plum Island in Newburyport). Repairs are underway, the sewer system remains operational, drinking water is safe, and investigators are looking into the cause.