The Baltimore City Department of Public Works estimates that 433,000 gallons of sanitary sewer/rain water was released into the Jones Falls as a result of sanitary sewer overflows due to heavy rain on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017.

The majority of overflow volume occurred at two structured, underground outfalls: 428 E. Preston St., 264,000 gallons; and North Charles Street and West Lanvale Street, 164,500 gallons. Additional overflows occurred at 1901 Falls Road, 3,000 gallons, and West Garrison Avenue & Queensberry Road, 1,500 gallons.

Structured overflows were designed into the City’s sewer system more than 100 years ago to provide such releases when the sewers became inundated with rainwater. They are being eliminated as part of the City’s sewer system consent decree.

The Baltimore City Health Department and the Maryland Department of the Environment were notified of the releases.

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 to http://health.baltimorecity.gov/sanitary-sewer-overflows-sso.