DPW's Accepting Comments on Proposed Plan to Reduce Non-Tidal Harbor Watershed Pollution

Friday Jun 16th, 2023

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

Today, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) released a draft implementation plan for public comment, outlining the City’s proposed efforts to reduce sediment entering into the non-tidal portion of the Baltimore Harbor watershed.

This proposed plan presents the City’s approach to addressing the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for sediment in the non-tidal Baltimore Harbor watershed, established by the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This implementation plan is a requirement of the City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit.

Rain storms can wash sediments from lawns and paved surfaces into storm drain inlets and into the City’s waterways. Sediment can also come from eroded stream banks. This TMDL aims to ensure that sediment loads are at a level that supports the Use Class I (water contact recreation, and protection of non-tidal warm water aquatic life) designations for the non-tidal Baltimore Harbor watershed. 

More information on the TMDL can be found on the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) fact sheet: BaltHarbor_Sed_TMDL_actSheet.pdf (maryland.gov). 

The draft implementation plan is posted on DPW's website's “Regulatory Mandates, Plans, and Reports” page for a 30-day public comment. The deadline for comments is Sunday, July 16.  Comments and questions can be sent to  mark.cameron@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-0732. 

Related Stories

NOW AVAILABLE: DPW’s 2023 Water Quality Report

Today, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is announcing that its 2023 Water Quality Report is available online. This annual report provides Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County residents with important information about where the City’s drinking water comes from, what chemicals it contains, and how it meets federal standards for tap water. In this report, DPW highlights our employees who monitor and treat the water from the City’s reservoirs, Loch Raven, Liberty, and Prettyboy, and take steps to safeguard the water throughout the distribution process.

DPW Offices, Sanitation Yards Closed on Independence Day , Thursday, July 4

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Independence Day will be observed on Thursday, July 4, 2024. As a City-observed holiday, DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED. The Independence Day closure WILL impact weekly trash and recycling collections. Trash and recycling makeup day is Saturday, July 6, 2024. There will be NO street sweeping during the Independence Day closure.  

DPW Offices, Sanitation Yards Closed on Juneteenth City of Baltimore to Observe Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Juneteenth will be observed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. As a City-observed holiday, DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED. Trash and recycling collections WILL NOT take place on the Juneteenth holiday closure. The trash and recycling make-up day is Saturday, June 22. There will be NO street sweeping during the Juneteenth closure.

Visit the Newsroom