Last week, roughly 21 million gallons of partially treated sewage overflowed from the Patapsco River Wastewater Treatment Plant after heavy rainfall. Authorities confirmed the overflow does not present an immediate health hazard to residents. However, such incidents can overload local waterways with nutrient pollution and be harmful to fish, underwater grasses, and other important Bay ecosystems.
Both the Patapsco and Back River Wastewater Treatment Plants have a long history of pollution. Although maintenance, staffing, and treatment equipment have been improved, overflow issues can still occur and should be considered in future permitting.
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is currently renewing discharge permits for both wastewater treatment plants. If adequately updated, these permits could better protect water quality and keep communities safe. Impacted residents can submit their public comments on the Back River plant through June 6, and the Patapsco River plant through June 20.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Staff Scientist Gussie Maguire issued the following statement:
“Wastewater overflows are 100 percent preventable. Yet more intense rainfall from climate change, combined with aging, leaky sewage pipes, will increase the likelihood of overflows and require additional oversight by wastewater treatment plant operators. Bacteria in partially treated wastewater poses a risk to swimmers, anglers, and wildlife, while nutrient pollution feeds algal blooms that can create dead zones.
“The Back River and Patapsco River Wastewater Treatment Plants have made significant improvements in recent years, but irrefutable damage has already been done. The new discharge permits tighten maintenance and training requirements, but still allow for nutrient trading, where plants can meet legal requirements without meaningfully reducing pollution. Given both facilities’ troublesome history and increasing overflow risks, this option for nutrient credit trading should not be part of any renewed permits.
“MDE has made meaningful strides to bring both treatment plants back into state compliance and we urge the agency to uphold even stronger standards when renewing each discharge permit. Now is the time for Baltimore and Anne Arundel residents who enjoy recreating in the Patapsco and care about clean water to voice their concerns and submit comments to MDE."
Maryland Communications & Media Relations Manager, CBF
[email protected]
443-482-2023
