BURLINGTON — Emergency maintenance at the city’s Main Wastewater Treatment Plant has led to the closure of several beaches since Monday, with solids and sludge contaminating the water.
Blanchard Beach, Oakledge Cove, Blodgett Access Area, the Coast Guard ramp and Perkins Pier are some of the closed beaches, according to a Monday statement by the Department of Public Works. Signs have been posted at beaches and public access areas.
The contamination occurred when workers removed one of the plant’s clarifiers for maintenance, as the other tanks couldn’t handle the extra sludge. The Main Plant will have a fifth final clarifier that will make the plant more resilient, lowering the risk of similar issues in the future, the statement read.
Officials tested the water for E. coli contamination and decided not to re-open the beaches Tuesday afternoon. Results showed a concentration of 260 colonies per 100 milliliters of water, exceeding the EPA’s acceptable limit of 235 colonies per 100 milliliters.
The department stated the beaches will likely reopen around 6 p.m. Wednesday.
People are advised to refrain from swimming and check water quality updates on the Swim Water page of the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department.
