CENTER HARBOR — At 2:25 p.m. today, Center Harbor firefighters rushed to the scene of a wastewater line rupture at 183 Whittier Highway, where they discovered a 10-inch pipe had burst, spilling about 1,500 gallons of partially treated wastewater into a nearby stream and ultimately into Lake Winnipesaukee.
The emergency crews immediately began efforts to prevent further contamination of the lake, shutting down the affected line and employing a vacuum truck to extract as much of the spill as possible.
As a safeguard, officials are urging the public to avoid contact with the water from Half Mile Island to Bullrush Cove until further notice.
While the cause of the rupture is still under investigation, local and state health authorities are preparing to conduct additional tests to ensure the safety of the water for residents and the environment.
Despite the incident, there are currently no limitations on the use of water or sewer services in the Center Harbor region.
Community members are advised to follow updates from officials as they work to resolve the situation and confirm the safety of local waterways.
