Avoid The Sudbury River: Sewage Spill Totals 675,000 Gallons

SUDBURY, MA — Local residents should avoid contact with the Sudbury River following a sanitary sewer overflow Tuesday in Framingham.

According to Framingham’s Wastewater Division, the spill began around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and lasted until 9 p.m. About 675,000 gallons of sewage, including untreated waste, made its way into the river during that time.

The sewer overflow happened near 75 Main St. in Framingham, which is a point along the Sudbury River just south of Route 30.

Residents should avoid using the river for recreation and fishing for at least 48 hours, Framingham officials warned. Along with untreated waste, the spill could include chemical contaminates, and other hazardous substances.

Framingham officials did not immediately say what caused the overflow, but Sudbury officials said the spill came from a "force main pipe failure."

"The Sudbury Board of Health joins other local health boards and communities that are adjacent to the Sudbury River asking the Public to abstain from swimming, boating, fishing and allowing pets from entering the Sudbury River for the next 48 hours. Contact with the water may cause illness," Sudbury officials said in a news release.

The Sudbury River flows for over 30 miles from its source in Westborough and passes through Ashland, Framingham, Sudbury, Wayland, Lincoln and Concord. The waterway ends at the larger Concord River.

Wayland sanitarian Darren MacCaughey said that the spill was "significant," and the town will be placing signs to warn residents about the potential danger. Wayland DPW Director Tom Holder said the town's drinking water has not been affected by the spill.