Newburyport Beaches Closed To Swimmers Due To Bacteria
NEWBURYPORT (CBS) – Swimming is banned at Newburyport beaches this long holiday weekend because of high bacteria counts.
The water is brown in some spots along Plum Island Beach, a week after Tropical Storm Irene rolled through.
Harbormaster Paul Hogg said the dirty water is the result of sewage overflows from the Merrimack River.
"We've had fishermen that put their boats in the water, went in, and it does affect the fishing. The fish aren't really biting as much. A lot of people don't really wanna come to the water when it looks like this," said Hogg.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports.
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Donna, a beachgoer at Plum Island, went up to her knees in the water but quickly got out.
"I noticed the water had an odor to it. I'd love to go in though," said Donna.
