Accidental Release of Magnesium Hydroxide

Monday Dec 11th, 2017

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

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) announces the accidental release of 856 gallons of magnesium hydroxide into the Patapsco River. The chemical, which is used during the wastewater pretreatment process, started to leak at 1 p.m. on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 8.

The spill was stopped at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.  DPW has started to clean up the spill, which distorted the water color of the Patapsco River, and reported the release to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

The leak started from a broken line on a tank located at the City-installed facility on the south side of the County's Patapsco Pumping Station.  

Magnesium hydroxide, known commonly as "milk of magnesia," is used in the sewage treatment process for odor control and to help with corrosion resistance. 

 

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