Sewage Overflow Reported On North Charles Street

From Baltimore Public Works: The Baltimore City Department of Public Works estimates that 48,000 gallons of sewer water mixed with rain water overflowed into the Jones Falls following periods of rain on Thursday, Oct. 12.

This incident lasted about an hour, and it occurred underground in a structured overflow at North Charles and West Lanvale Streets. While it did not spill onto any streets, this below-ground structured overflow enters into a storm drain that flows to the Jones Falls. The Baltimore City Health Department and the Maryland Department of the Environment were notified of this release.

Watch: Sewage Overflow Reported On North Charles Street

Structured overflows were designed as part of Baltimore’s sewer system more than 100 years ago. They are being eliminated as part of the City’s $2 billion Consent Decree sewer rehabilitation work. Structured overflows act as release valves when the pipes are surcharged with rainwater that enters the sewer mains during significant storms.

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 here.

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