Skip to main content
Image of the Baltimore County Seal

Main navigation

  • Services
  • Report
  • Pay
  • Apply
  • Contact
Baltimore County Government
Use the dropdown menu to select your preferred language
English العربية Français 한국어 Русский Español

County offices are closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day.

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Departments
  3. Health
  4. Environmental Health Services
  5. Water Sampling
  6. Water Alerts, Advisories and Closings

Water Alerts, Advisories and Closings

RECREATIONAL WATER AND PUBLIC BEACHES

5/25/2025, 7:43:47 PM

CURRENT ALERTS/ADVISORIES

WATER CONTACT ALERTS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT: 

None.  

BEACH AREA CLOSURES:

None.

WATER QUALITY ADVISORIES CURRENTLY IN EFFECT:

A water quality advisory is in effect for Old Road Bay and Patapsco River - East until further notice.

ALERT/ADVISORY PROCEDURES

The Baltimore County Department of Health, Environmental Health Services (EHS) closely monitors and samples beach areas for water quality, posts sampling results, and issues beach closure notices, Water Contact Alerts and Water Quality Advisories.

When recreational water conditions exceed standards and sewage contamination is suspected or evident sampling will occur and the results will be posted online, Water Contact Alerts are issued or public bathing beaches are closed. Contaminated conditions can be produced by storm water run-off from severe storms, sanitary sewage overflows, or marine accidents. After the storms have passed, local wind and tide conditions can result in the intermittent re-intensification of those conditions for extended periods in tidal waters. When water quality parameters are generally elevated or abnormal, but no sewage contamination is present, a Water Quality Advisory will be issued.

Recreational water users are reminded:

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

Explore Water Sampling

  • Program Details
  • Water Sampling Results
  • Alerts, Advisories and Closures

Contact Us

Environmental Health Services

Drumcastle Government Center
6401 York Road, Third Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21212

Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Email

ehs@baltimorecountymd.gov

Phone

410-887-FOOD (3663)

TTY

711

Follow Us

Follow @BaltCoHHS(link is external)

Subscribe to news

Image of the Baltimore County Seal
Baltimore County Government
400 Washington Avenue, Towson Maryland 21204(link is external)
BaltCoGo 311 Logo
Download now on:
  •   App Store (link is external)
  •   Google Play (link is external)

Find Information

  • Find a County Service
  • Phone Numbers
  • Report a Problem
  • Directions (link is external)

Policies

  • User Terms
  • Privacy
  • Reasonable Accommodation

Connect With Us

(link is external) (link is external) (link is external)

Translate

English العربية Français 한국어 Русский Español
© Copyright 2025 Baltimore County Government
Back to top