PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has closed the waters of Mill Gut in Bristol to shellfishing until sunrise February 29. The closure encompasses all of the waters south of the bridge at Colt Drive.

The closure is due to a break in a sewer line that serves the maintenance building at Colt State Park. The break occurred on the shore at the mouth of Mill Gut. The amount of sewage that may have leaked from the line is unknown, but the building is not heavily utilized, and the flow entering the line was, therefore, low. Park workers discovered the break Wednesday, and DEM enforcement officers remained at Mill Gut throughout the day today to advise shellfishermen that the area was closed. Upon discovery of the break, DEM also took immediate steps to close down the maintenance building. The building will remain closed until the sewer line is repaired.

DEM took water samples from the area today, and will resample the area again tomorrow. The results of these samples are expected by Monday, February 28. At that point, DEM will determine whether there is any need to extend the closure beyond the 29^th.