The King's Beach Steering Committee has been committed to exploring complementary solutions to help mitigate pollution at the beach in addition to Lynn and Swampscott's source elimination efforts, also known as Illict Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE).
In addition to the source elimination and IDDE efforts, there is a consensus among advisors and stakeholders at every level (municipal, state, federal, including MassDEP and EPA Region 1) that this work alone will not guarantee that the beach is open during dry weather. The pipe networks below ground are extraordinarily old and complex and it is unrealistic to expect that all potential sources of contamination can be eliminated. In other words, source elimination alone is insufficient and a separate complementary solution is needed.
In September 2022, the committee began reviewing potential solutions and three were chosen for further consideration: Chemical Disinfection, Ultraviolet (UV) Light Disinfection, and an Outfall Extension at Stacey’s Brook. The committee ultimately determined that UV Light Disinfection would be selected for immediate implementation due to being the most cost-effective and time-efficient method of reducing the public health risks associated with constant bacterial discharges at King's Beach.
Currently, Lynn and Swampscott are working to establish a UV pilot program in the summer of 2025.
To learn more about the pilot, click here.