UPDATE: Public Health Warning Ended - June 15, 2023 3:30pm
Unchlorinated treated sewage was released from the Amherst Waste Water Treatment Plant on June 15, 2023 starting at 8:45am due to partial Wastewater Treatment Plant shut down for an emergency repair. The unchlorinated treated sewage was released into the Connecticut River at the treatment plant outfall. The discharge of unchlorinated treated sewage ceased on June 15, 2023 at 1:15pm. No more than 450,000 gallons of unchlorinated treated sanitary sewage was discharged during the event. This discharge did not impact the safety of Amherst’s drinking water.
The discharge consists of treated sewage and waste that has not been chlorinated prior to release. Because Amherst is required to chlorinate all discharge prior to release at this time of year, this is considered partially treated wastewater. The Town recommends that the public avoid swimming and recreation in the Connecticut River between the Calvin Coolidge Bridge and the South Hadley town line until June 17, 2023 at 7:00pm.
Time of issue: 6/15/2023 3:30pm
Issued by: Guilford Mooring, Superintendent Public Works and Jennifer Brown, Health Director
Questions? Contact Amherst Department of Public Works at (413) 259-3050
PREVIOUS: Unchlorinated treated sewage was released from the Amherst Waste Water Treatment Plant on June 15, 2023 starting at 8:45am due to partial Wastewater Treatment Plant shut down for an emergency repair. The unchlorinated treated sewage was released into the Connecticut River at the treatment plant outfall. See map below. Periodic releases of unchlorinated treated sewage will occur throughout the day as the repairs at the plant are conducted. Additional warnings will be issued every eight hours until the work at the plant is complete and discharges of unchlorinated sewage have ceased. We estimate that approximately 75,000 gallons of unchlorinated treated sanitary sewage has discharged as of the issuance of this warning. This does not impact the safety of the Amherst drinking water.
The discharge consists of treated sewage and waste that has not been chlorinated prior to release. Because Amherst is required to chlorinate all discharge prior to release at this time of year, this is considered partially treated wastewater. The Town recommends that the public avoid contact with the affected water body for at least 48 hours after the discharge ceases due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants. View map here.
Time of issue: June 15, 2023 10:30am
Issued by: Guilford Mooring, Superintendent Public Works, Jennifer Brown, Health Director
View PDF of Notice and Map of Outfall Location
Questions? Contact Amherst Department of Public Works at (413) 259-3050