BALTIMORE - Shortly after noon on Wednesday, July 8, crews from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works were able to abate a sanitary sewer overflow that resulted in more than 31,000 gallons reaching a storm drain that empties into the Gwynns Falls.  The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Baltimore City Health Department have been notified of this event.

A broken pipe and heavy infiltration are the cause of the overflow. An inspection and repair of the pipe will be scheduled.

Residents are reminded that because of the likelihood of pollution, urban waterways are considered unsafe and should not be used for swimming, wading, or recreation.

Baltimore City is in the construction phase of a $1 Billion Consent Decree Program to rehabilitate our sewer infrastructure which will help to reduce sewer overflows. At this time $100,000,000 in sewer rehabilitation projects are occurring throughout the City.