An estimated 4.1 million gallons of sewage mixed with rain water was released into the Jones Falls on Monday, April 16, due to water infiltrating the sewer system during the heavy rainstorms. 

These overflows occurred at these outfalls:

428 E. Preston St. (3,707,000 gallons)
1901 Falls Road.  (402,000 gallons)
N. Charles Street and W. Lanvale Street (4,000 gallons)
E. 32^nd Street and St. Paul Street/Hargrove Alley (2,500 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. Work is scheduled to begin this week to build a new pipeline to relieve the East Preston Street sewer main.

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.