Portland beach closed due to contamination concerns after malfunction at water plant

PORTLAND (WGME) -- East End Beach in Portland is closed because of a water plant malfunction.

Portland police and park staff closed the beach on Sunday because of a malfunction at the East End Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Biddeford fire displaces Make-A-Wish family

The plant is owned and operated by the city’s water district.

According to the Portland Press Herald, the malfunction at the plant was caused by a power outage Sunday morning and the backup generator at the plant failed to generate power, which allowed an unknown amount of waste to leave the plant and enter Casco Bay.

Freeport Town Council to review Main Street closure

The Press Herald says the Department of Environmental Protection was also notified.

The beach will stay closed until tests show the water conditions are safe. It’s unclear how long that will take.