The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) estimates that two additional sewer overflows of well over 10,000 gallons of stormwater mixed with sewage have been reported, as a result of the heavy rains on Sunday, May 27. These overflows affected the Gwynns Falls and Baltimore Harbor.

Overflows occurred at the following locations:

1731 E. Chase Street – 316,000 gallons
2121 Wicomico Street – 13,000 gallons

These locations are among several in the City that have been outfitted with emergency notification equipment that lets officials know when a sewer manhole is overflowing. DPW crews are able to respond and monitor these locations, and block streets so that cars and pedestrians do not traverse the polluted water.

These latest reported releases come following notification earlier in the week that more than 10 million gallons of stormwater mixed with sewage had been released into streams and waterways. The Baltimore City Health Department and the Maryland Department of the Environment were notified of the sewage releases.

As a reminder, citizens who experience basement sewage backups as a result of rain events are encouraged to take advantage of the city’s Expedited Reimbursement Program (ERP).  This program is to reimburse residents and property owners for cleanup costs related to sewage backups caused by wet weather.  Application and eligibility information can be found at this link https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/sewer-consent-decree/building-backups. Please note that this program is NOT designed for costs related to flood damage, hurricanes, or other extreme weather events.

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.