DPW Reports Sewer Overflows Related to Heavy Rains

Wednesday May 30th, 2018

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

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works estimates that over 10 million gallons of wastewater mixed with stormwater has overflowed into the Jones Falls beginning Sunday, May 27.  Overflows at Charing Cross, Gelston Drive, and Liberty Heights overflowed into the Gwynns Falls; ; Eager Street overflowed to the Baltimore Harbor.

These overflows were caused by the heavy rains and occurred at the following structured overflow locations, totals are in million gallons (MG).  These were structured overflows with the exception of the last two on the list:

1901 Falls Road –  1.471 MG
428 E. Preston Street –  7.468 MG
3104 Liberty Heights Avenue –  0.036 MG
West Cold Spring Lane and Ayrdale Avenue  -  0.167 MG
North Charles Street and West Lanvale Street – 0.030 MG
Charing Cross Road and Greenwich Avenue – 0.104  MG
1800 E. Eager Street - 0.984 MG
Gelston Drive and Linnard Street   -  0.0251 MG

There were also a number of smaller overflows due to water inundation into the sewer system. 

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.

Citizens who experience basement sewage backups as a result of rain events are encouraged to take advantage of the city’s Expedited Reimbursement Program (ERP).  This program is to reimburse residents and property owners for cleanup costs related sewage backups caused by wet weather.  Application and eligibility information can be found at this link https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/sewer-consent-decree/building-backups. Please note that this program is NOT designed for costs related to flood damage, hurricanes, or other extreme weather events.

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.

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