Sewage backup cleaning, disinfection and disposal services

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Sewage Onsite Support (SOS) Cleanup Program helps residents affected by sewage backup damage caused by a heavy or sustained rain. 

These capacity-related wet weather events happen when at least ¼ inch of rain is recorded within a 24-hour period. Stormwater runoff may be more than sewer capacity and sewers can back up or overflow. 

If there is light rain for 2-3 hours, moderate rain for 30-60 minutes or heavy rain for 15 minutes, it may be identified as a wet weather event by the City. 

A 12-month pilot program

The SOS Cleanup Program provides cleaning and disinfection services at no cost to residential customers in Baltimore City. DPW contracts with third-party vendors and cleaning professionals to provide services to clean and disinfect your home.

Raw sewage may contain bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants that can cause disease and contaminate property. The program helps to clean up after a sewage backup and remove the health risks from your property when you need it most. 

Program guidelines

The SOS Cleanup Program services are only available to clean and disinfect property damage that is caused by a capacity-related wet weather event. 

The SOS Cleanup Program does not apply and may not be used for basement backups that are not caused by capacity-related wet weather events. 

Non-wet weather backups include clogs caused by wet wipes, roots, fats, oil, and grease (FOG) or maintenance-related issues. 

Getting help with a sewage backup

Step 1: 

• You must be a Baltimore City residential customer
• The residential property owner, tenant or property manager must call 311 or visit 311 online to report the damage to DPW. 
• The report to 311 must be made as soon as the sewer backup is discovered. 

In the event of an extended period between the backup and its discovery, customers may be able to use DPW’s Expedited Reimbursement Program for Sewage Backups to assist with disinfection and cleanup costs. 

Please note: Eligibility is limited to either the SOS Cleanup Program or the Expedited Reimbursement Program for Sewage Backups, but not both. 

Step 2:

 DPW will send an inspector to determine the cause of your sewage backup. 

Your cleanup request must be for damage caused by a backup that occurred during a capacity-related wet weather event.

Services provided by SOS Cleanup Program

Once the cause of your backup is confirmed to be a capacity-related wet weather event, DPW will send a team of professional cleaning contractors to:  

Disinfect and Clean: Eliminate dangerous viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms from affected areas. 
Dispose and Remove: Remove soiled carpet, flooring, furniture, and other affected property.
Deodorize: Use professional-grade odor removal equipment, technologies, and processes to tackle smelly odors.
Dehumidify and Dry: Once hazardous materials and any extra water is removed and disposed of, affected areas are completely dried and dehumidified.

Professional cleaning contractors

DPW contracts with cleaning professionals to provide services under the SOS Cleanup Program. These professionals thoroughly clean your home to protect you from the health risks of raw sewage. Professional cleaning services help you get your life back to normal as soon as possible.

Homeowner’s insurance

Many standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover sewer backup unless specific (rider/endorsement) coverage is added to the policy. you may wish to contact your insurance provider to determine whether your policy covers sewage backup cleanup. 

The SOS Cleanup Program allows you to avoid contacting your private insurance and having to pay the deductible. 

Additional information

SOS Cleanup FAQs
SOS Program Brochure

Questions or concerns?

We're here to help. Please call 311 or visit 311 online to connect with us.