Runoff Contributes to Sewer Overflow

Wednesday Feb 17th, 2016

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

BALTIMORE – Crews from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works reported an overflowing sewer at 1800 Falls Road was abated during the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Crews responded at 1:20 p.m. that afternoon to the overflow. They found trash and rags in the sewer main, along with runoff from rain and snowmelt, had created a backup that overcharged the sewer.

By the time the conditions abated at 7:14 p.m., an estimated 17,700 gallons of water had discharged from the sewer main.

The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Baltimore City Health Department have been notified.

Citizens are encouraged to avoid contact with urban streams due to possible pollution. Baltimore City is in the construction phase of the $1 billion Consent Decree rehabilitation of our sewer infrastructure.

For more information about health concerns as a result of sewer overflows please go to: http://health.baltimorecity.gov/sanitary-sewer-overflows-sso.

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