As reported last week, a mixture of storm water mixed with sewer water overflowed into the Jones Falls and Herring Run overnight on Thursday, March 21, and into early Friday morning as a result of infiltration from heavy rains. The overflows were reported from multiple locations. The final totals have now been calculated at approximately 45 million gallons, with 8.8 million of that entering Herring Run, and the rest entering the Jones Falls.

Overflows occur when storm water infiltrates into the sewer mains, either through small cracks in the sewer pipes, manholes, or through illegal connections. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is in the process of improving its sewer system and eliminating overflows as part of the $2 billion Sanitary Sewer Consent Decree. 

Information about specific sanitary sewer overflows is available through an interactive map on the DPW website: https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/interactive-maps.

The Baltimore City Health Department and the Maryland Department of the Environment were notified of the sewage release. The public is reminded to always avoid contact with urban waterways due to the risk of pollution. Signs stating that are posted along our urban streams. For information about health concerns as a result of sewer overflows please go to http://health.baltimorecity.gov/sanitary-sewer-overflows-sso.

Citizens who experience basement sewage backups as a result of rain events are encouraged to take advantage of the city’s Expedited Reimbursement Program. 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 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.