The Baltimore City Department of Public Works estimates that over 38,000 gallons of rainwater, mixed with sewer water, overflowed into the Jones Falls following Monday night’s downpours. The overflow was publicly announced yesterday. This incident occurred underground in a structured overflow at North Charles and West Lanvale Streets and did not spill onto any streets.

Structured overflows were designed as part of Baltimore’s sewer system more than 100 years ago, but are being eliminated as part of the City’s $1 billion Consent Decree sewer rehabilitation. Structured overflows act as a release valve when the pipes are surcharged with rainwater that enters the sewer mains during heavy rains.

The Baltimore City Health Department and the Maryland Department of the Environment were notified of the release.

The public is reminded to avoid contact with urban waterways due to the risk of pollution. For more information about health concerns as a result of sewer overflows please go to http://health.baltimorecity.gov/sanitary-sewer-overflows-sso.