Letter (PDF)

Boston (July 2, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today wrote with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to four federal agencies regarding the potential need for federal assistance following the sewer line break that released contaminants into the Merrimack River.

In their letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Senators raise the environmental, public health, and economic concerns for the Merrimack Valley and North Shore following last week's sewer pipe break in Haverhill.

"Officials are continuously monitoring the contamination levels in the river and on the North Shore to determine when it is safe for people to fish, work, and recreate in the waters. As part of these efforts, the Commonwealth will determine whether federal assistance is necessary in responding to the environmental or economic impacts stemming from the discharge," wrote Senators Markey and Warren. "Our offices and the Commonwealth have already been in touch with several of your agencies, and we are grateful for your engagement. Should Massachusetts officials determine that the concerns raised by residents, the shellfishing community, and other businesses along the river and the coast exceed the Commonwealth's ability to respond and require emergency support from the federal government, we respectfully ask that you quickly review any request from Governor Maura Healey and expedite all appropriate federal relief."

On June 26, 2026, a significant rainstorm in the Merrimack Valley caused two sewer pipe breaks in Haverhill, sending an estimated 8 million gallons of untreated wastewater a day into the Merrimack River. On July 1, the break was repaired, stopping new flows of wastewater. As a result of this breakage and concerns about the amount of wastewater that has discharged into the river and reached the coast, shellfish growing areas are temporarily closed in several North Shore communities and swimming has been temporarily suspended in some areas. With the ongoing severe heatwave and approaching Fourth of July weekend, Massachusetts officials are monitoring the potential impact the sewer break and associated closures could have on residents' public health as well as on coastal and riverside communities' economic vitality. The City of Haverhill is also assessing the short- and long-term costs associated with the emergency response and repairing and replacing the damaged infrastructure.

Senator Markey has also enabled the delivery of key water funding to Massachusetts through his legislative work, including:

• $78,089,000 in funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund in Fiscal Year 2026
• $116,273,000 in funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in Fiscal Year 2026
• $2,927,000 in funding for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program for Fiscal Years 2025-2026
• $254,000 in BEACH Act grants for Fiscal Year 2026
• $27,366,500 in additional federal funding for key water infrastructure projects throughout Massachusetts in Fiscal Year 2026

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