One day after testing confirmed the water was secure for swimming, most seashores impacted by the Merrimack River sewage leak reopened for swimming, excluding one stretch of Plum Island.
A burst pipe and the following sewage leak from Haverhill into the Merrimack River had precipitated a number of seashores to be closed to swimming for days main as much as the vacation weekend.
“I thought that everything was fine,” mentioned Alyssa Vong from Lowell. “The weather was nice, so it didn’t really stop me from going in [the water].”
There had been dozens of individuals within the water at Salisbury Beach State Park all day Thursday.
“It’s hot,” mentioned Karen Bingham-Nanto, who’s visiting from Tennessee. “I really don’t care as long as it’s open… The levels are low enough. Whatever!”
To encourage individuals to move to the seaside, Governor Healey introduced Thursday that every one parking at state parks can be free by means of the vacation weekend.
“We want people to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend, especially as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding,” mentioned Governor Healey in an announcement. “In recognition of that, we’re making parking at all of our state properties free this weekend.”
Matt Arsenault and his household delayed their tenting journey to Salisbury by someday to make sure the seaside can be open for swimming once they arrived.
“I haven’t seen anything,” he informed WBZ-TV, including, “I haven’t smelled anything either.”
Lynn Scott of Holden was additionally visiting the campground and mentioned she hopes the pipe downside is fastened completely.
“I feel bad for the businesses up here,” she mentioned. “They lost a lot of money. This is a big weekend so hopefully they’ll fix it and it stays fixed.”
Governor Healey mentioned water high quality testing is ongoing to make sure that all swimming is secure all weekend.