The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) estimates that 3.1 million gallons of rain water combined with waste water was released from four structured overflows into the Jones Falls as a result of heavy rains infiltrating and overwhelming the sewer mains on Thursday, April 6, 2017.

The overflows occurred at the following structured outfalls: North Charles and West Lanvale Streets, 134,000 gallons; 1901 Falls Road, 745,000 gallons; 428 E. Preston St., 2,158,000 gallons; and W. Garrison Avenue & Queensberry Road, 73,000 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 the capacity of Baltimore’s sewer collection and treatment systems are upgraded 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 risks from pollution. For more information about health concerns as a result of sewer overflows please go to http://health.baltimorecity.gov/sanitary-sewer-overflows-sso.

Baltimore City continues renewal of our wastewater system as mandated by a $1 billion-plus Consent Decree with the State and Federal governments.