Per State Regulations, City is Installing New Signage and Issuing Reverse 911 Notification to Warn Public of Hazardous Water Quality After Significant Rainstorm

(MEDFORD)—In accordance with new Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulations on combined sewer and sanitary sewer overflow notifications, the City of Medford will be installing permanent signage at all public access points to the Mystic River informing the public of potentially hazardous water conditions following significant rainfall.

In the event of a storm, a warning will be issued by the City to avoid contact with the Mystic River for a period of 48 hours upon receiving the alert. Storm water runoff has the potential to contain harmful bacteria and other hazardous materials following a substantial rainstorm. By having this water drain into the Mystic River, it creates unsafe conditions in the water for a two-day period and when such an event occurs, boating, swimming and fishing are prohibited for the following 48 hours.

The permanent signage instructs people to scan a QR code or to call the Medford Board of Health at 781-393-2560 to see if there is an active warning. A reverse 911 call will also be issued in the event of an active warning. To sign up to receive alerts, visit medfordma.org/alerts.