So far July 2018 is the second wettest month in the history of record-keeping in Baltimore. The continuous rainfall has resulted in tremendous amounts of rainwater entering the City's sewer mains, causing numerous overflows into area streams and the harbor.

Much of this was released through structured overflows. These structured overflow locations were designed as part of Baltimore’s sewer system more than 100 years ago. Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is in the process of eliminating these outfalls totally over the next few years as work continues on the Headworks Project at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Headworks will allow us to pump and store this excess water for processing during such rain events. This is part of the $2 billion Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree Program.

At this time DPW estimates that there have been 49 sewer overflows, totaling approximately 10,000,000 gallons of stormwater mixed with sewer water, as a result of heavy rain which began this past weekend. Three of these locations are ongoing. 

Estimated sewer overflow totals as of last evening are:

Jones Falls - 24 sites - 8,612,000 gallons

Gwynns Falls - 21 sites - 91,057 gallons

Inner Harbor - 4 sites - 1,144,302 gallons

Data is still being processed, and these numbers are subject to change as additional persistent rainfall is due to again enter the region.

On July 24, at approximately 11:00 a.m., the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant had intermittent overflows due to extreme heavy rain surges.  Plant staff estimated approximately 250,000 diluted gallons of wastewater overflowed into the Outer Harbor during this time period.  

Two locations experienced structural damage from the storms and these incidents contributed to the overflows: 

Maidens Choice (behind 300 block of S. Beechfield Rd) – A manhole stack was destroyed at this location, likely by debris carried along by the stream. Bypass pumps are operating to keep sewage out of the damaged line but the stream is still very unstable. It is possible that debris has traveled down the pipe and is restricting flow. We continue to work with the contractor to resolve this issue.

Gwynns Falls near Edmondson Avenue and Hilton Parkway –  Roadway construction work at this location was disrupted, as a temporary construction road collapsed, allowing debris into the stream that severed two sewer lines where they crossed the Gwynns Falls. DPW continues to plan for bypass pumping as the stream subsides so that we can halt the overflow and begin the restoration work.  

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

As a reminder, 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 to 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.