DPW Engineering Construction Projects

Sewer / Consent Decree Project History

The Department of Public Works is responsible for operation, maintenance and capital improvement of wastewater collection system and treatment plants in the City of Baltimore. The wastewater Collection system consists of approximately 1400 miles of Sewer pipe, 4000 manholes, 250,000 Sewer house connections, 10 pump stations and 2 wastewater treatment plants.

In 2002 the City of Baltimore entered into a Consent Decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). A Consent Decree is an agreement made in court by the parties to settle a suit in equity. The Consent Decree enables the City to address sewer system deficiencies in a proactive program over a 15-year period. More information on the Consent Decree can be found at: https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/sewer-consent-decree

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Water Project History

The City of Baltimore supplies drinking water to 1.8 million people in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area and maintains 3,800 miles of water mains, 67,500 valves and 23,000 fire hydrants.  Many of the water mains are over 80 years of age.  The City is faced with the challenge of the old and failing infrastructure, which is why water mains in your area are being replaced or rehabilitated. 

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Environmental Restoration / Stormwater Project History

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is required to install Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce and treat stormwater entering its waterways per its federal Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit.
DPW is also responsible for the repair and maintenance and capital improvements of its storm drain system.