Avoid Merrimack River For 48 Hours: Andover Health Division

ANDOVER, MA — The Town of Andover Health Division on Tuesday recommended that the public avoid contact with the Merrimack River for two days after a release of untreated or partially treated wastewater on Monday at a treatment facility in Lowell.

Health officials said they were told by the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility that the release of untreated wastewater was due to the volume of rainwater.

The Andover Health Division said it was notified that the release took place between 3:20 a.m. and 6:18 p.m. Monday at the Lowell facility.

"The Commonwealth recommends that the public avoid contact with the affected water body for at least 48 hours after a sewage discharge or overflow. (The recommendation is) due to increased health risks from bacteria or other pollutants associated with urban stormwater runoff and discharges of untreated and partially treated wastewater," the Andover Health Division said in a Tuesday statement on social media.