Baltimore Meets Restoration Milestone in Stormwater Permit

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

Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Rudy S. Chow, P.E., announced that Baltimore has met its stormwater discharge permit requirement to restore an equivalent of 20 percent of its impervious surface to the maximum extent possible. That milestone highlights the Fiscal Year 2018 annual report detailing the City’s work to comply with its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit.

To date, Baltimore is the only Phase I MS4 permit holder to meet the impervious surface restoration requirements without having to resort to nutrient trading. 

The FY18 annual report has been submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and is now available to the public. The report can be found at https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/regulatory-mandates-plans-and-reports.

Among highlights of the report are data summaries for stream and watershed sampling; budget and expenditures; inspections and public education; and information on water quality improvement plans and implementation. Meeting local total maximum daily loads (TMDL) is still in progress.

Annual MS4 reports are required as part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The report includes the progress of compliance for Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018).

Related Stories

Voluntary Water Restrictions Lifted for Baltimore Region Following Record Rainfall

Baltimore City DPW, in coordination with Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, and Carroll County, has lifted the voluntary water restrictions issued on May 8, 2025, for residents who are served by the local public water supply. The restrictions were initially implemented due to historically low water levels at Liberty Reservoir, one of the region’s primary drinking water sources.

DPW Offices and Sanitation Yards to Close for Juneteenth Holiday, Thursday, June 19 Trash and Recycling Rescheduled for Saturday, June 21

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Juneteenth will be observed on Thursday, June 19, 2025. As a City-observed holiday, DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED in observance of the holiday.  There will be NO trash or recycling collections on the Juneteenth holiday. The make-up collection day will be Saturday, June 21.

DPW Offices, Sanitation Yards Closed Memorial Day Holiday, Monday, May 26, 2025

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 26, 2025. As a City-observed holiday, DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED on that day. The Memorial Day closure will NOT impact weekly trash and recycling collections, as Monday is not a regularly scheduled curbside collection day. Mechanical street sweeping will be suspended on the holiday.