LYNN — The City of Lynn and the Town of Swampscott have launched a joint pilot program this summer aimed at tackling persistent stormwater contamination at King’s Beach, using an innovative ultraviolet (UV) disinfection process. As part of the effort, officials are seeking undergraduate or graduate-level interns to assist with daily water quality sampling throughout the three-month trial.
The unpaid internship supports a project designed to evaluate whether UV light can effectively neutralize harmful bacteria in stormwater before it reaches the beach — a popular summer destination long plagued by pollution. Interns will be trained in lab and field testing procedures and will play a key role in monitoring the system’s performance.
“This project is really about reclaiming King’s Beach as a safe, swimmable space for the public,” Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said. “While the long-term goal is to eliminate pollution at the source through pipe upgrades, this UV pilot is a promising complementary approach that we can test now and learn from. It’s a big step forward.”
The UV unit is being installed upstream of the beach to treat stormwater before it reaches the shore. Sampling will take place upstream and downstream of the system using both lab analysis and on-site equipment such as multi-parameter probes and UV transmittance meters. No sampling will occur directly on the beach.
Interns will work up to three hours per weekday, with schedules dependent on tidal conditions. All necessary training and equipment will be provided.
“This is a great opportunity for students interested in environmental work,” Nicholson added. “We’ve reached out to local universities and are hoping to find one or two students who are a strong fit. There may even be room for high school participation in some capacity.”
Swampscott Interim Town Administrator Gino Cresta emphasized the dual benefit of environmental progress and student engagement.
“We are pleased to provide the opportunity for students to play an important role in evaluating the effectiveness of the UV pilot program,” Cresta said. “The water sampling is an important part of this process, and having students involved is an added benefit.”
Ward 3 Councilor Coco Alinsug, who represents the King’s Beach area, said the project reflects a new level of coordination between the two communities.
“Before I took on the role as councilor, it seemed like there were a lot of moving parts and not always a shared direction,” Alinsug said. “Now, it feels like we’re working more collaboratively. I really give credit to Mayor Nicholson for helping bring people together. Having lived in this neighborhood for over 20 years, it means a lot to see that kind of progress.”
Alinsug said he and the mayor recently held a neighborhood walk-through that drew more than 40 residents.
“People were puzzled, confused, and afraid—but after all the explanations, they were in support,” he said. “The only thing they asked from us was regular updates, and that’s the promise we gave them.”
The UV pilot is part of a broader push to clean up King’s Beach and is the result of a wide-ranging coalition including the Lynn Water and Sewer Commission, Swampscott’s engineering consultant Kleinfelder, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach, and several state and federal agencies. It builds on years of advocacy and infrastructure work, including the city’s ongoing focus on “source elimination” — repairing leaking sewer and stormwater lines that flow into Stacy’s Brook.
In recent months, the Office of Mayor Nicholson and Interim Administrator Cresta have led a series of outreach efforts to keep the public informed. These include a well-attended King’s Beach town hall with updates on both the UV pilot and long-term cleanup efforts, a targeted neighborhood meeting with immediate abutters of the pilot site, and neighborhood canvassing to address concerns and gather feedback.
Residents can stay updated by visiting the City of Lynn website, which includes information on the UV pilot, a video recording of the town hall, pilot site plans, and more.
The internship is open to undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in environmental science, biology, public health, or related fields. To apply, email Valerie Vong at [email protected]. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.
