Sewage Releases Prompt County to Close Access to Creeks

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health has ordered an emergency closure for Cox Creek and Furnace Creek in Glen Burnie after heavy rains caused sewer system to overflow.

According to a news release, signs warning against swimming and other direct water contact have been posted at the creeks. The closings were prompted by sanitary sewer overflows that began Tuesday, Aug. 12, from the Cox Creek Water Reclamation Facility (about 57,600 gallons) and the Cinder Cove Sewer Pumping Station (about 43,000 gallons).

The waterway closures will remain in effect until Aug. 20.

The Department of Health warns people coming in contact with the affected water to wash well with soap and warm water immediately. Clothing should also be washed.

Subscribers to the Recreational Water Quality E-mail Alerts online atwww.aahealth.org/alerts receive e-mail notifying them when waterways are closed and reopened. Alerts can also be received via text messages by following the Department on Twitter: www.twitter.com/aahealth_water.

After rainfall of a half-inch or more, all Anne Arundel County beaches are under a no swimming/no direct water contact advisory for at least 48 hours due to predicted elevated bacteria levels from rainwater runoff and increased health risks. During the summer swim season, the Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Program resumes its routine seasonal sampling following the 48-hour period.

For more information about recreational waterways, visit the Department’s website, www.aahealth.org or call 410-222-7999.