Lynn Sewage Release Shuts Down Swampscott's King's Beach Friday

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott's King's Beach is once again off-limits to swimming at the start of a beautiful summer weekend after Lynn Water & Sewer sent out a notification of a sewage overflow release on Thursday because of this week's heavy rains.

The alert is part of a notification agreement between Lynn and Swampscott after complaints that several releases during last summer's heavy rains were not properly broadcast to those who unknowingly used the beaches following the flow of partially treated or untreated sewage and waste into the water.

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While swimming at King's Beach can be dubious on the best of days, those using the beach are advised to stay out of the water for at least 48 hours following a sewage overflow release. The latest release occurred at 2:35 p.m. on Thursday — meaning the water should be avoided, especially in areas closer to the Lynn line, through at least Saturday afternoon.

Save The Harbor/Save The Bay's annual survey of beaches in the Metro Boston area has consistently shown to be the most polluted beach in Greater Boston and which was considered not safe for swimming for nearly half the days last summer.

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