Final Sanitary Sewer Overflow Numbers Reported From May 5, 2017, Downpours

Monday May 8th, 2017

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works estimates that 3.2 million gallons of sanitary sewer/rain water were released as a result of sanitary sewer overflows due to heavy rain on Friday, May 5, 2017.

The overflows occurred at the following structured outfalls: 1901 Falls Road, 450,000 gallons; 428 E. Preston St., 2.6 million gallons; North Charles and West Lanvale streets, 63,000; and W. Garrison Avenue & Queensberry Road, 32,000. A sanitary sewer overflow also occurred at a monitored manhole at 1819 E. Eager St, releasing 62,000 gallons of sewer/rain water.

Structured overflows were designed into the City’s sewer system more than 100 years ago to provide such releases when the sewers became inundated with rainwater. They are being eliminated as part of the City’s sewer system consent decree.

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

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

Related Stories

NOW AVAILABLE: DPW’s 2023 Water Quality Report

Today, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is announcing that its 2023 Water Quality Report is available online. This annual report provides Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County residents with important information about where the City’s drinking water comes from, what chemicals it contains, and how it meets federal standards for tap water. In this report, DPW highlights our employees who monitor and treat the water from the City’s reservoirs, Loch Raven, Liberty, and Prettyboy, and take steps to safeguard the water throughout the distribution process.

DPW Offices, Sanitation Yards Closed on Independence Day , Thursday, July 4

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Independence Day will be observed on Thursday, July 4, 2024. As a City-observed holiday, DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED. The Independence Day closure WILL impact weekly trash and recycling collections. Trash and recycling makeup day is Saturday, July 6, 2024. There will be NO street sweeping during the Independence Day closure.  

DPW Offices, Sanitation Yards Closed on Juneteenth City of Baltimore to Observe Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Juneteenth will be observed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. As a City-observed holiday, DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED. Trash and recycling collections WILL NOT take place on the Juneteenth holiday closure. The trash and recycling make-up day is Saturday, June 22. There will be NO street sweeping during the Juneteenth closure.

Visit the Newsroom