The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) estimates that over 3.6 million gallons of storm water combined with wastewater overflowed into the Jones Falls when heavy rains hit the City during evening rush hour on Thursday, July 11, 2019. The evening’s heavy rains caused an additional 2.4 million gallons of storm and sewer water to flow into the Herring Run Stream. The cause of these overflows was wet weather infiltration of the sewer mains.

The wet weather events affecting the Jones Falls waterway occurred underground in structured overflows at 1901 Falls Road (2.1 million gallons), 428 E. Preston Street (1.5 million gallons), W. Garrison Avenue & Queensberry Road (11,000) and W. Coldspring Lane & Ayrdale Avenue (1,000 gallons).

 At 3900 Belair Road, a manhole next to the Herring Run creek overflowed due to the heavy rain, discharging 2.4 million gallons. 

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

Structured overflows were designed as part of Baltimore’s sewer system more than 100 years ago. They are being eliminated as part of the City’s $2 billion Consent Decree sewer rehabilitation work. Structured overflows were designed to act as release valves when the pipes are surcharged with rainwater that enters the sewer mains during significant storms.

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.