Routine sampling by Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) employees last Friday, Aug. 25, found an underground overflow of sewage traced to a broken sewer pipe in the 2500 block of W. Lexington St. Crews were unable to repair the break, but on Monday were able to complete a pumping bypass that effectively ended the overflow by sending the sewage into a sewer manhole further downstream.

DPW engineers estimate that 44,250 gallons of sewage discharged from the time the break was discovered until the pumping bypass was put into place. A contractor will complete repairs to the mainline.

Though unusually intense, frequent rains in recent weeks infiltrated and overwhelmed some sections of the sewer system.  The overflow on West Lexington Street is different than, and unrelated to those wet-weather overflows.

None of the sewer overflow reached the street. It did, however, enter the storm drain system and made its way to the Gwynns Falls.

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

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.