(BALTIMORE, MD – Jan. 4, 2013) This year, the Department of Public Works (DPW) continues phase II of the city’s consent decree construction project. These projects are required as part of the 2002 consent decree agreement Baltimore City entered into with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).   

 

The consent decree agreement requires the city to eliminate sewer overflows, comprehensively evaluate and rehabilitate its sewer system, continuously upgrade sewer operations, and sewer maintenance. Upcoming work includes constructing, repairing, or rehabilitating existing manholes, as well as cleaning, lining and replacing sewer mains.

 

As a vital part of this endeavor, DPW is initiating a series of public meetings to engage and inform residents, businesses and institutions about consent decree projects. The construction will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, depending upon the condition of the local infrastructure. It is important that citizens and other interested parties attend the scheduled meetings to learn how their community will be impacted.

 

“This work will have a long-lasting, positive effect in improving Baltimore’s sewer system,” says Director Alfred H. Foxx. “It will help protect the environment and improve an infrastructure that in some areas is over 100 years old.” 

 

To view details of community meetings scheduled this January and upcoming meetings for 2013, please visit DPW’s CleanWaterBaltimore website at www.cleanwaterbaltimore.org and click on the “Wastewater” tab.