Officials advise residents to avoid contact with Clark’s Cove water

Sep 1, 2022

The Dartmouth Board of Health is advising residents to avoid contact with the water in Clark’s Cove following a discharge of untreated sewer water.

Officials notified residents Thursday that on Aug. 31, an overflow pipe from the City of New Bedford’s collection system, which contains untreated sewage, was discharged into the cove at Padanaram Avenue, along with West Rodney French Boulevard in New Bedford between Calumet and Dudley streets.

As a result, the town has temporarily closed Jones Beach, Hidden Bay, Oak Hill Shores, and Anthony’s Beach until results come back from the lab.

Residents are also advised to avoid contact with the cove 48 hours after the discharge or overflow cease due “to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants.” According to the Board of Health, contact with untreated sewage may cause illness.

For more information on the advisory, call the Board of Health at (508) 910-1804.