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— Quincy Massachusetts News by Quincy Quarry News – News, Opinion and Commentary
Water closed to use
Image via the San Diego Union-Tribune
As the second day of an expected at least three day heatwave beats down on Quincy locals and others in Greater Boston as well as throughout New England, the water off of Wollaston Beach continued to be closed given excessive bacterial counts in the wake of last weekend’s rainstorm local runoff into the harbor.
Fortunately, just as Quincy Quarry was about to go to press with this story, new tests results were released this morning which found the water off of Wollaston Beach now most fortuitously safe for public use.
Such is a good thing as while other local beaches tested as safe in recent days, they are smaller and often less accessible.
Not a splash pad. Not even during a heat emergency.
Quincy Quarry News exclusive file photo image
As for Wollaston Beach’s recent polluted condition, while uncertain as regards particulars as regards having a role in its closing earlier this week, it is still only balanced and fair to note that the City of Quincy is under an at least $100 million and over a decade-long fixing of its sewer system given a consent agreement with United States Department of Environment Protection.
In any event, while all local beaches are now open for those seeking to beat the heat, Quincy only has one official splash pad for use by those looking for relief from the heat at Kincaide Park in West Quincy.
Oh, the delicious irony. As I recall, it was the CofQ that brought the lawsuit that resulted in the mostly successful cleanup of Boston Harbor. But now, all these years later, and after yearly and many Wollaston Beach closures due to high bacteria levels, the CofQ is now on the hook to the tune of $100 million to upgrade its sewer system. As reported, the latest closure is due to high levels of sewage in the water. So where is the sewage coming from? It has to be a local source. Maybe the Lord Mayor or one of his flacks can tackle this one and give us a semi-credible answer. Maybe.
Asterisk,
Goes around, comes around. Always has, always will.
Do be sure to note that the $100 million figure assumes that the Koch Administration is able to do the job on time and on schedule whereas its history does not bode well.