Community Corner

Patapsco Sewage Main Spills Again

Leak in repaired section discovered Sept. 14, spilling 525,000 gallons of sewage into Patapsco River.

Baltimore County Department of Public Works announced that a leak was discovered in a section of pipe that had been replaced during repair of a 54-inch sewage main that ruptured on Aug. 27 during hurricane Irene.

The leak in a joint of the 40-foot replacement pipe, which was installed Sept. 1, was discovered Sept. 14, according to county officials. During repair of the pipe, about 525,000 gallons of untreated sewage flowed into the Patapsco River.

The spill occurred between 5 and 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept 17., according to public works officials.

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The 54-inch "force main" conducts half of the sewage produced by Baltimore County, about 17 million gallons daily, from the Patapsco Pumping Station on Annapolis Road to a treatment plant in Baltimore City.

contact advisory remains in effect for the Patapsco River south of Ilchester Road in Catonsville. Health officials advise the following:

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  • Watch out for cloudy or discolored water in streams, rivers, or the bay, and of waters that are laden with debris.
  • Do not drink stream water.
  • Avoid contact with potentially contaminated water if you have open cuts or bandaged wounds. If you contact contaminated water, wash any damaged skin areas as soon as possible.
  • Minimize hand-to-mouth contact and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before eating.


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