（Boston Orange編譯）麻州政府針對黑弗里爾市（譯音，Haverhill）衛生下水道溢流問題，已啟動跨部門緊急措施，以制止廢水流入Merrimack河，保護公眾健康，恢復進入海灘和貝類採集區的通道。
溢流事故發生，源於南磨坊街（South Mill Street）泵站配套的壓力輸送總管發生故障，導致每天約800萬加侖的污水排入梅里馬克河（譯音，Merrimack River），迫使周邊社區暫時關閉海灘並禁止採集貝類。
麻州政府為保護民眾的健康及貝類資源，州長奚莉（Maura Healey）已指示環保、公共衛生、海洋漁業及公園管理單位協同合作，並與麻州水資源管理局聯手提供技術支援。先暫時關閉索爾茲伯里海灘（Salisbury Beach State Reservation）及沙角州立保護區（Sandy Point State Reservation）等水域，待水質檢測符合衛生標準後再行開放。
麻州政府為保護貝類資源，也宣佈緊急關閉格洛斯特（Gloucester）、紐百利波特（Newburyport），Essex，Ipswich，Newbury，岩港（Rockport），Rowley，Salisbury等8個城鎮的貝類司長區。
麻州政府表示將持續監測水質，並透過官網更新海灘狀態與貝類分類區域地圖（Shellfish classification areas | Mass.gov.），供民眾查詢。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Mobilizes Response to Merrimack Sewer Overflow
State coordinating across agencies to stop wastewater discharge, protect public health and reopen beaches and shellfish areas as quickly as possible
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration has launched a coordinated, whole-of-government response to the sanitary sewer overflow in the City of Haverhill, bringing together state and local officials to stop the wastewater discharge into the Merrimack River, protect public health and restore access to beaches and shellfish areas.
The ongoing overflow resulted from the failure of the force main associated with the South Mill Street Pump station and is releasing approximately 8 million gallons of wastewater on a daily basis into the Merrimack River, prompting temporary beach and shellfish closures in surrounding communities.
“Protecting public health is our top priority, and I've directed our agencies to work closely with the City of Haverhill to resolve this issue as quickly as possible,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We will continue moving with urgency to safely reopen these beaches and waterways during this important holiday week and expected heat wave.”
"We know these closures come at a particularly difficult time as families look to the water to cool off during this period of extreme heat," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Our teams are working to help stop the overflow, monitor water quality, and safely reopen impacted beaches and shellfish areas as soon as testing shows conditions are safe."
Stopping Wastewater Discharge
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is working closely with the City of Haverhill to stop the wastewater discharge as quickly as possible. The agency has coordinated with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to lend expertise to the City.
MassDEP continues to provide technical assistance and oversight throughout the emergency response and will monitor progress.
Water Quality Monitoring
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is conducting water quality testing Tuesday at Salisbury Beach and Sandy Point State Reservation and will evaluate the need for further testing on an ongoing basis. These beaches will remain temporarily closed until testing confirms the water is safe for swimming in accordance with Department of Public Health (DPH) standards. Check DCR’s Park Alerts Site for the most up-to-date information on the water quality at the beaches.
DPH is also supporting local public health officials in responding to constituent concerns and helping monitor water quality at public beaches in the area.
Protecting Shellfish Resources
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has issued an emergency closure of shellfish growing areas, affecting waters in Gloucester, Newburyport, Essex, Ipswich, Newbury, Rockport, Rowley, and Salisbury. The closure will remain in effect until water quality and shellfish testing demonstrate the areas meet public health standards.
Shellfish are filter feeders and can rapidly accumulate bacteria and other contaminants from the surrounding water, making temporary closures a critical public health measure following wastewater discharges. DMF routinely monitors shellfish growing areas statewide to ensure harvested shellfish are safe for consumption and will continue working to reopen affected areas as soon as testing confirms they meet public health standards.
Shellfish growing area boundaries are mapped on the website at Shellfish classification areas | Mass.gov.
沒有留言:
發佈留言