Final Sanitary Sewer Overflow Numbers Reported From May 5, 2017, Downpours

Monday May 8th, 2017

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

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works estimates that 3.2 million gallons of sanitary sewer/rain water were released as a result of sanitary sewer overflows due to heavy rain on Friday, May 5, 2017.

The overflows occurred at the following structured outfalls: 1901 Falls Road, 450,000 gallons; 428 E. Preston St., 2.6 million gallons; North Charles and West Lanvale streets, 63,000; and W. Garrison Avenue & Queensberry Road, 32,000. A sanitary sewer overflow also occurred at a monitored manhole at 1819 E. Eager St, releasing 62,000 gallons of sewer/rain water.

Structured overflows were designed into the City’s sewer system more than 100 years ago to provide such releases when the sewers became inundated with rainwater. They are being eliminated as part of the City’s sewer system consent decree.

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

The public is reminded to avoid contact with urban waterways due to the risk of pollution. For 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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