IPSWICH

All beaches in town are temporarily closed over bacteria concerns.

The town's wastewater treatment plant was discharging higher than normal levels of coliform bacteria earlier this week, and the health department closed town beaches Thursday afternoon as a precaution.

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

The closure affects Crane,Pavilion, Steep Hill, Little Neck and Clark beaches.

Samples of Ipswich beach water were taken today and sent for testing, with results expected at midday Friday. If the results are clean, it's possible the beaches will reopen, said Colleen Fermon, Ipswich health agent.

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

For complete details, see Friday's Salem News.

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Ipswich beaches closed over bacteria concerns