Sanitary Sewer Overflows Reported Update
Thursday Feb 25th, 2016
BALTIMORE - Last night's massive storm resulted in multiple sewer overflows last night. One occurred in the 1700 block of East Chase Street. It was reported at 8:20 p.m. on February 24, and stopped at 2:00 a.m. It is estimated that approximately 114,000 gallons of wastewater was released which entered the Harbor via the storm drain.
In an event believed to be related to the East Chase Street overflow, another discharge occurred in the 1000 block of North Durham St. Approximately 36,150 gallons of wastewater entered into the Harbor from this location. The overflow on Durham Street was reported at 10:00 p.m. and stopped at 2:00 a.m.
A third overflow occurred at the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Facility in Wagner's Point. Rain infiltration into the sewer lines, and a brief electrical disruption, resulted in an overflow of approximately 50,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater entering the Patapsco River at this location.
In addition to these, structured overflows released wastewater into the Jones Falls. These overflows were built into the original sewer system as release points for excessive flow. They are to be eliminated, as sixty other such locations have already been removed.
The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Baltimore City Health Department have been notified of these events.
Residents are reminded that because of the likelihood of pollution, urban waterways are considered unsafe and should not be used for swimming, wading, or recreation.
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 over $100,000,000 in sewer rehabilitation projects are occurring throughout the City.
ALSO STORM RELATED: Department of Public Works crews, along with Baltimore City Department of Transportation, and State Highway Administration crews responded to flooding on I-295 in the City early this morning. Runoff pushed mud and leaves into the storm drains at several locations. Crews removed storm drain grates and cleared the blockages. Additional cleanup work continued into the afternoon to remove mud from the roadway.