Partially treated wastewater entering Blackstone River – Boston News, Weather, Sports

WOONSOCKET, RI (AP) — Environmental officials are urging residents to avoid a section of the Blackstone River after finding sewage leaked into the river from a treatment plant on Sunday.

The Rhode Island Department of the Environment said it is investigating the discharge of partially treated wastewater from the Woonsocket Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. Officials said they were made aware of the sacking on Sunday morning and that it was “currently ongoing”.

Residents are being urged to avoid swimming, boating or fishing in the river from Cumberland Hill Road in Woonsocket to Slater Mill Dam in Pawtucket. The recommendation applies until further notice.

The treatment plant is operated by private company Jacobs and treats about 10 million gallons of wastewater per day, according to the ministry. The agency said it previously issued non-compliance letters to the facility in November 2021 and March 2022 related to “operations and maintenance concerns.”

Jacobs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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