BALTIMORE, MD (January 17, 2014) – The Department of Public Works announced that an eight inch diameter sanitary sewer overflow was stopped this morning at the intersection of Brehms Lane and Kenyon Avenue in northeast Baltimore. The overflow was caused when an eight inch diameter water main broke, eroded the roadway, and damaged the sewer main and storm drain below. Sewage entered the storm drain and was released into Herring Run at the outfall where Brehms Lane crosses the stream.

Crews stopped the overflow this morning with by-pass pumping. It is estimated that 15,000 gallons of wastewater was released.

The broken water main was repaired and this overflow does not affect the drinking water.  

The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Baltimore City Health Department have been notified of this overflow and the stream has been posted. In addition, permanent signs are already posted along city streams to remind citizens that urban streams are subject to pollutants. For more information about health concerns as a result of the overflows, please visit the Baltimore City Health Department website at http://www.baltimorehealth.org/water.html.

Baltimore City is entering the construction phase of a Consent Decree program to rehabilitate and replace aging sewer lines.