Last night the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) bypassed a sanitary sewer overflow in the 2400 block of Talbot Road in Windsor Hills. It is estimated that a break on a century-old sewer main released a total of 10,634 gallons of wastewater/stormwater. The main is 25 feet deep, and a DPW contractor will excavate and repair the line. Because of the location an access road will need to be built to the site, and extensive shoring of the excavation will have to occur. This will take several days.

The overflow entered the Gwynns Falls prior to the bypass installation. The stream has been posted with signs warning of overflow.

Another, more difficult leak was resolved at a location in the 5800 block of Greenspring Avenue in Northwest Baltimore last week. This sewer line, in a very wooded area, was discovered by DPW Pollution Control Analysts to be heavily infiltrated with roots. Crews immediately went to work, using various methods to remove this massive blockage and seal the main. The complex procedures took several months to complete.

It is estimated that over 34,000 gallons of wastewater/stormwater slowly leaked into Western Run over eight months.

The Department of Public Works is rehabilitating the City's aging sewer infrastructure as part of a $1 billion plus Consent Decree with the State and Federal Governments. Ongoing sewer work is occurring throughout Baltimore City.

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

The public is reminded to avoid contact with urban waterways due to health risks from pollutants. For more information about health concerns as a result of sewer overflows please go to http://health.baltimorecity.gov/sanitary-sewer-overflows-sso.