Pavilion, Crane, Steep Hill, Little Neck and Clark beaches, along with all Ipswich clam beds are closed until further notice.

The Ipswich Department of Health ordered the temporary closure due to abnormally high coliform discharge from the towns wastewater treatment plant.

Ipswich Health Agent Colleen Fermon said the town made the decision to close the beaches and clam beds as a safety precaution.

Because we cant confirm that there arent elevated bacteria levels, we decided to use caution and close them, she said.

Samples have been taken and test results are expected back on Friday, July 13.

Once sampling confirms there is no risk to the public, the beaches and clam beds will reopen.

Fermon said she was notified of the problem by the Utilities Department this morning, Thursday, July 12.

The plant has had some mechanical problems that have been fixed, Ipswich Utilities Director Tim Henry said.

Henry said those repairs have resulted in treated sewage with a higher than normal coliform level being expelled from the treatment plant.

None of the samples have indicated a problem, he said, explaining that the beach closures are merely a precautionary measure.

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Sewage discharge closes Ipswich beaches, clam beds