Baltimore City Department of Public Works Reports Sewer Overflow

Sunday Jun 28th, 2015

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

Baltimore - A Sanitary Sewer overflow occurred the evening of June 27 at the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant in Wagner’s Point. The overflow began at approximately 5:30 P.M. and, except for a minor residual, was stopped about 9:30 P.M. Early estimates place the overflow at about 100,000 to 150,000 gallons. This wastewater entered the Patapsco River in the Outer Harbor.

It is believed that the cause was a massive inflow of stormwater entering the sewer lines as a result of the day's prolonged hard rain. The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Baltimore City Health Department have been notified of this event.

Baltimore City is in the construction phase of a $1 Billion Consent Decree Program to rehabilitate our sewer infrastructure which will help to reduce sewer overflows. At this time $100,000,000 in sewer rehabilitation projects are occurring throughout the City.

Related Stories

The Department of Public Works is Now Accepting Public Comment on the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree Revised Operation and Maintenance Plan

The Modified Consent Decree Revised Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Plan has officially been released by the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) and is available on the DPW website for review and comment in accordance with the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree (MCD). DPW will accept public comments pertaining to this document for 30 days, through November 16, 2024. Comments may be submitted directly to Michael.Shipman@baltimorecity.gov.

Baltimore City and County Submit Initial Water Service Line Inventory to MDE Part of a Nationwide Effort to Remove Lead Lines from Water Systems

On Tuesday, October 15, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) submitted their initial water service line inventory to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). This submission is part of a nationwide effort, led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to identify and eliminate lead and galvanized pipes from water distribution systems.

DPW is Now Accepting Public Comments on the Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree Revised Emergency Response Plan 

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW)  has announced the release of its Revised Emergency Response Plan (ERP), a reference tool to be used by City personnel during a sanitary sewer overflow or reported building backup emergency. The Modified Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree (MCD) requires DPW to submit a revised Emergency Response Plan to protect the public health and welfare in the event of an unpermitted release, spill, or discharge of pollutants from the sewer collection system or in the event of a reported building backup.

Visit the Newsroom