Accidental Release of Magnesium Hydroxide

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. 

 

Related Stories

DPW Offices and Facilities Close for Good Friday, March 29 Trash, Recycling Pickups to Resume Saturday, March 30

Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Good Friday, March 29, 2024, is a City holiday and DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSEDThere will be NO trash or recycling collections on Good Friday. Trash and recycling collections, normally scheduled for Friday, March 29, will be collected on the make-up day, Saturday, March 30.

Mayor Scott to Nominate Khalil Zaied as New Director of the Department of Public Works

Mayor Brandon M. Scott has announced his intent to nominate Khalil Zaied as the new Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Zaied, who most recently led the Department of Public Works in Champaign, Illinois, will join DPW on March 18, 2024. Previously, he was a nearly 20 year veteran of Baltimore City Government, serving as Deputy Mayor of Operations and Director of Transportation, among other roles.

Mayor Scott, City Agencies Highlight the Return of Weekly Recycling

On Monday, March 4, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Department of Public Works Interim Director Richard J. Luna, Department of General Services Director Berke Attila, and Baltimore City Chief Administrative Officer Faith Leach joined city staff and community members to highlight the return of weekly, curbside recycling collections for Baltimore City residents, starting Tuesday, March 5.