Heavy Rains Contribute to Sewer Overflows

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Rains over the weekend and continuing on Monday, July 8, 2019, contributed to sewer overflows of about 1.3 million gallons of stormwater mixed with sewer water.

The overflows spilled into the Jones Falls through two structured, underground overflow points. These structured overflows were designed more than 100 years ago to relieve pressure when stormwater infiltration exceeds the sewer pipes’ capacity, and will be removed as part of the ongoing work of Baltimore City’s sanitary sewer consent decree.

The public is advised to avoid direct contact with the receiving waters impacted by these or any other overflow.  Waterways throughout Baltimore City are considered impaired, and may not meet applicable standards for full-body contact recreation, including swimming, regardless of the impact of a specific sewer overflow.  Accordingly, the City discourages full-body contact with all surface waters.

For additional information regarding potential health impacts, please visit: https://health.baltimorecity.gov/sanitary-sewer-overflows-sso or call 410-396-4428. For additional information pertaining to a specific overflow, please call the Baltimore City Department of Public Works at 410-545-6541.

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