Sewage spill leads to emergency shellfishing closure in Bristol Harbor

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — Recent rainfall in Rhode Island created a sewage spill in Bristol Harbor.

Now, nearly 500 acres of the western portion of the harbor are closed to shellfish harvesting until the end of the month.

“Any closure hurts the shell fishermen and the shellfish population,” said William Foeri, owner of Digger’s Catch.

All waters north of Usher Point in Bristol to the tip of Hog Island will be closed for shellfish harvesting until March 30 at sunrise, per the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Rainfall last week caused an overflow of around 180,000 gallons of wastewater, which spilled into the harbor.

“It is a 21-day spill, because that is how long it takes for water from the bay to dilute the harbor water and get it cleaned out,” explained Mike Healey, a public information officer with DEM.

For business owners who depend on shell fishing, the 21-day closure is a setback.

“I won’t be able to get oysters because my oyster guy is down and out,” Foeri said. “Like I said, this is bad for the whole shellfish industry. Any closure, any time. In the news, not in the news. This is happening all the time. We need to find a solution.”

The DEM said staff at the Bristol wastewater treatment facility set up an additional pump ahead of the rain last week to prevent additional sewage overflows.

“Don’t go digging for clams in that area,” Healey advised. “Then possibly sell those clams to dealers, and then the dealers send to consumers, and consumers can get sick. We don’t want people to get sick. This is about public safety.”

The DEM and the Rhode Island Department of Health will continue to monitor the situation.