According to a recent investigation by the city, sewer infrastructure is one of the main causes of Good Harbor Beach creek pollution. Also heavy rains lead to significantly higher levels of bacteria such as enterococci. Enterococci bacteria is an indicator that there is fecal matter in the water. Exposure to Enterococci Bacteria can cause symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, pain when urinating, fatigue, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding gums, and subsequent infections that include meningitis, endocarditis, UTI, wound infections, sinus infections, and periodontitis. In our ongoing surveys a lot of these symptoms have been reported.

Clean the Creek is a grassroots organization devoted to creating a healthier ocean environment at Good Harbor Beach and surrounding water bodies of Cape Ann. Please help us reduce the ongoing bacterial water pollution impacting our health and environment. We are asking that the City of Gloucester act on the following:

• Increase testing frequency and expand to other areas.
• Find the underlying cause(s) to address the issue head-on.
• Partner with State and Federal government to gain the necessary support needed to solve the problem.
• Make it a top priority to find the proper supporting staff for our Board of Health to champion this issue.
• Hold DPW accountable for monitoring the safety and well-being of our waterways in regards to sewage overflow, upkeeping infrastructure, and oversight of new projects which add to increased waste.

Sign the petition to act for our Mayor and City Council in Gloucester, MA!

*Must be a resident of Gloucester*