IPSWICH All Ipswich beaches were ordered closed yesterday because of concerns about bacterial contamination.

The towns wastewater treatment plant was discharging higher-than-normal levels of coliform bacteria earlier this week, and the health department closed town beaches and clam beds yesterday afternoon as a precaution.

Ipswich wastewater flows into Greenwood Creek, which feeds into the Ipswich River and eventually the ocean.

The closure affects Crane Beach, as well as the smaller Pavilion, Steep Hill, Little Neck and Clark beaches.

Mondays mechanical failure at the wastewater treatment plant, which caused the increased levels of bacteria, has been fixed, said Tim Henry, director of Ipswichs Utilities Department.

This is strictly a precaution, Henry said. Were uncertain of how it might impact the beaches. But as a precaution, this is what the health department wishes to do.

The news comes on the eve of a weekend when temperatures are expected to rise into the 90s, under sunny skies.

Samples of Ipswich beach water were taken yesterday and sent for testing, with results expected by midday today. If the results are clean, its possible Ipswich beaches and clam flats will be reopened, said Colleen Fermon, the towns health agent.

We are closing until testing shows there is no risk, Fermon said.

Henry said earlier water samples taken at Ipswich beaches showed no contamination.

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All beaches closed in Ipswich