Water Use

Hydrant flushing helps ensure water quality and removes sediment in the water main. It also verifies ample water flow for firefighting. Low water pressure, discolored/milky water, air in pipes and at times, no water, may be experienced during flushing. When flushing in your area do not use your water to prevent it getting pulled into your home. When flushing is complete in your area, or in the morning, running your cold water faucets for 5-10 minutes should alleviate this problem.

FALL 2026 HYDRANT FLUSHING

OCTOBER 14TH- till complete

If flushing is listed at night: between 7-11 pm

If flushing is during the day: between 9-12 am

10/14         Wednesday NIGHT– East Main to Attitash, Bisson, Meadow, Hillside,

Pleasant View, Thorndike, Dunvegan

10/15         Thursday DAY –Emery St, Trailer Park, Champion, Sunset,

Middle Road, Poplar Hill, Bancroft

10/15         Thursday NIGHT– remainder of East Main, West Main

10/16         Friday DAY – Upper West Main

10/19         Monday DAY– Jana Way, Birchmeadow, Heath, Heathbrook,

Noyes, Chase, West Parish, Gunnison, Clement

10/20         Tuesday NIGHT -Bear Hill, Lakewoods, West Shore Road,

Abbey Rd, Spencer

10/21         Wednesday Day – Harriman, Highland, Hansom, Landau

10/22         Thursday Day – Church and all side streets, Grove, Orchard

10/25         Sunday Night – School, Carriage Ct, Walnut, Colonial Dr,

Lower River, Locust St & Locust grove

10/26         Monday Night – High, Merrimac Port, South Pleasant, River Rd

10/27         Tuesday DAY-Little Pond, Spring Hill, Valley

Please note this schedule could be changed due to weather or other circumstances. We will update the town website with any changes.

Merrimac Water

978-346-8407                    

MERRIMAC – The Town of Merrimac and Health Agent Debbie Ketchen advise residents not to swim in the Merrimack River due to an incident in Haverhill that led to a discharge of untreated wastewater into the river. 

On Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, the City of Haverhill identified two breaks in sewer mains near its main pumping stations and confirmed that there was an ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater going into the Merrimack River.

As a result of the discharge of untreated wastewater, Health Agent Ketchen strongly urges residents not to swim or allow pets in the Merrimack River.

While the Town of Merrimac has no public access points to the Merrimack River, a number of private residents do. 

Several surrounding towns that offer public access points, including Newburyport, Ipswich, and Newbury, have closed their beaches to swimming. These closures will remain in place until regular testing indicates the water is safe to swim in. 

Swimming in bacteria-contaminated water poses serious health risks. Exposure can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory, dermatological, eye, and ear symptoms, and in some cases, more serious illnesses. Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

The Town urges residents to obey all posted signage if they travel to any beaches in the surrounding area. 

While this untreated sewage discharge impacts the Merrimack River and downstream points, there is no impact to the town’s potable water sources. Merrimac’s potable water is drawn from wells, and town water customers can remain confident in the quality and safety of the drinking water.

For up-to-date information on water quality, visit mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-alerts. 

💧 Why are we still in a drought despite recent rainfall?

The North Shore remains in a Level 3 Drought. While recent rain has helped, months of below-average precipitation have left groundwater levels below normal. Because groundwater helps replenish streams, wetlands, and drinking water reservoirs, recovery can take weeks or even months.

Swipe through to learn why drought recovery takes time and how you can help conserve water at home.

Stay up to date on current drought conditions by visiting: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-status

The report is an annual publication in response to customers’ need to know more about their drinking water. It contains information about where our drinking water comes from, what contaminants, if any, were detected during the last calendar year and any related health effects.

https://townofmerrimac.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2025-ANNUAL-DRINKING-WATER-REPORT.pdf