Sanitary Sewer Overflow (Update)

Towson, Md. (July 16, 2008) -  A sanitary sewer overflow of 8.9 million gallons occurred at the Patapsco Pumping Station located at 4612 Annapolis Road in Halethorpe. The overflow, which began at 5 p.m. Monday, July 14, was stopped by 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2008.

Crews worked throughout the night to bring the station online after determining that an obstruction had damaged a pump which caused the station to flood. Repairs are continuing to the pump and to the pump station’s electrical components to restore the station to full capacity. 

The discharge from the station entered the Patapsco River at the Annapolis Road Bridge. Signs have been posted along the Patapsco River downstream from the overflow advising users to avoid contact with the water. Samples will be taken to determine when water quality returns to normal, at which point the signs will be removed. The results of sampling will be posted on the Department of Environmental Protection & Resource Management’s recreational web site.