DirtyWaterWatch Public waters. Public record.

Check sewage reports before you head to the water

Find reported sewage discharges in New England's rivers, lakes and bays. See what local authorities advise before swimming, paddling, rowing or fishing.

Updated Nov 2, 2026, 12 PM EST. 3 waters have a discharge or advisory status, 7 have caution, and 25 have no confirmed discharge end. River reports can appear on estimated downstream stretches.

Find your water · View current reports

Map sources: water outlines and launches from OpenBoatLaunch and OpenStreetMap contributors (Open Database License); wastewater outlets from EPA and state records; downstream estimates by DirtyWaterWatch using U.S. Geological Survey maps and flow data. Base map: OpenFreeMap and OpenMapTiles.

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Replay uses the reports available in the latest update, including reports filed later. It does not show only what was known at the time.

Map key

  • Discharge or advisory reported shown as solid line or filled water

    A discharge is reported as ongoing, a post-discharge period applies, or an official advisory is listed. Open the report for its source, dates and advice.

    This status does not measure water quality at your location.

  • Caution shown as line with dark dashes inside

    Caution applies after a recent discharge, when a report leaves its status unclear, or during a rainfall advisory. The report explains which rule applies.

    DirtyWaterWatch sets its own post-discharge caution periods. Official rainfall advice is named separately.

  • Discharge likely: heavy rain, no report received shown as caution colour with a dashed outline

    Radar shows that recent rain at a combined sewer system's outlets has reached the amount at which that system has discharged before, and its operator has not reported a discharge. This is an estimate, not a report.

    It does not mean a discharge happened, and it never replaces an official advisory or a reported discharge.

  • End not confirmed shown as hatched line

    A discharge was reported, and we have not found an end time in the sources we track.

    This does not confirm that the discharge continues.

  • No current status shown shown as hollow outline

    No current status is assigned to this water outline. Check the water page for reports and any estimated downstream stretches.

    No status does not mean the water is safe. Follow posted signs and local health advice.

  • Source update overdue shown as purple hatching

    We have not received the expected update from a source that covers this water. Recent reports may be missing.

    It does not mean the source has stopped publishing; our latest check did not bring the expected update.

  • Estimated downstream stretch — not checked by water sampling

    Dashed river stretches show our estimate of the route below a reported discharge. A ring marks where the estimate stops: tidal water, a lake or the distance limit. It does not mark where contamination ends.

Some water outlines have no status. Open a water page to check its coverage and downstream stretches. How we assign statuses.

DirtyWaterWatch tracks public reports. It does not test water or declare it safe. Missing reports and expired advisories do not establish water quality. Follow posted signs and local health advice.

Sewage reports by state