Salem Harbor Sewage Release Warning After Fort Avenue Pipe Failure

SALEM, MA — The Salem Board of Health issued a public health warning on Friday after it said partially treated wastewater may have been released into Salem Harbor because of an underground pipe failure near Fort Avenue.

The Board of Health said the event occurred on Thursday afternoon and may have resulted in the discharge being released in the area of Cat Cove.

Cat Cove is a cove in the northwestern portion of Salem Harbor. The cove is located between Winter Island and Salem Neck.

The public was advised to avoid contact with water in the area for at least 48 hours after the discharge — which would mean through Saturday afternoon — or 48 hours after a rainstorm ends. Rain was expected to continue on the North Shore through at least Friday night.

During this time there may be increased health risks from bacteria or other pollutants associated with urban stormwater runoff and discharges of untreated or partially treated wastewater.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)