01-06-2025
21M gallons of partially treated wastewater in Patapsco prompt advisory
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health issued an advisory against direct contact with the Patapsco River after 21 million gallons of partially treated wastewater overflowed into the waterway, impacting the headwaters of the river to Bodkin Creek.
Health officials said the overflow came from the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore City after a structural issue led to the bypass of nitrogen-reducing equipment. Officials said the wastewater did not meet the standard for discharge but confirmed that raw sewage did not enter the waterway.
The overflow was initially reported to the Anne Arundel County Department of Health at 11 p.m. Thursday and was listed as ongoing, health department officials said. Baltimore City Department of Public Works officials told Anne Arundel County's health department that the plant had been fully operational at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The Anne Arundel Department of Health issued the advisory Friday against direct water contact for seven days due to the risk of wastewater affecting Anne Arundel County recreational waters.
Typically after rainfall, Anne Arundel County beaches are under an advisory against swimming and other direct-water contact for at least 48 hours due to the risk of high bacteria levels. However, the overflow added additional days to the advisory.
The seven-day notice advised anyone who comes in contact with the affected water to 'immediately wash well with soap and warm water.'
'Anyone fishing in the Patapsco River and neighboring waterways should be cautious and consider wearing gloves, and if there is any water contact, wash your hands with soap and warm water as soon as possible,' the advisory reads.
Residents can sign up for water quality email notifications about closings and advisories by visiting the Anne Arundel County Department of Health's alert page on its website.
This article will be updated.
Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@ 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X.
