NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — Health officials in Newburyport have closed all beaches on Plum Island to swimming due to elevated levels of bacteria in the water.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health informed the city of the elevated levels on Friday and follow-up tests on Monday showed that bacteria levels still exceeded the state’s allowable limit, according to city officials.
The updated closure now includes Plum Island Point Beach and the beach accessed through the pathway at 55th Street.
Signage has been placed at the entrances and parking lot of the public beach. The public may visit the beach as long as they stay out of the water.
The state’s beach testing program monitors over 1,100 public and semi-public beaches to ensure the safety of swimmers and beachgoers and prevent pathogens spread by contamination.
Frequent rain, such as has occurred this season, can lead to beach closures.
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