Public health warning issued following recent sewage discharge in Boston

BOSTON — A recent sewage discharge in Boston following heavy Friday rains has prompted a health warning from officials.

The Boston Public Health Commission says they’ve been alerted to two Boston Water and Sewer Commission Outflow stations that experienced a combined sewer overflow (CSO) on Friday.

A CSO occurs when a large storm overwhelms the combined sewerage system, causing rainwater to mix with wastewater and discharge to nearby water bodies, according to authorities.

The first discharge occurred at Boston Water and Sewer Commission Outflow BOS003 at Jeffries Point in East Boston at 8:50 a.m.; it ended at 11 a.m. Officials say the Lower Inner Harbor will be affected by the overflow.

The second discharge was reported at Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Outflow MWR203 at Prison Point in Charlestown near the Charles River Dam at 9:15 a.m. The overflow ended at 12:40 p.m. and will impact the waters of the Upper Inner Harbor and Charlestown, according to authorities.

Health officials are urging residents to avoid contact with the affected bodies of water for at least the next two days due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants.

For more information about combined sewer overflow, click here.

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