Health, Politics, Sci-Tech

Elected officials speak out after EPA selects Back River Wastewater Treatment Plan to treat wastewater from Ohio train derailment

NOTTINGHAM, MD—Elected officials are speaking out after it was announced that the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant would be treating wastewater from the recent Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio. On Friday, March 24, 2023, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works was notified by Clean Harbors Environmental Services that it was selected by the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, …


Police/Fire

Explosion, 2-alarm fire reported at Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant

UPDATE: Hazmat crews are being dispatched.  Multiple areas on fire in the building, according to the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company. Portions of the building are reportedly detaching.  Multiple people are now being evacuated.  No injuries have been reported. Original story below… DUNDALK, MD—Crews are on the scene of a two-alarm fire in Essex/Dundalk. At around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, …


Water Quality Advisory issued for part of Back River

TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Department of Health has issued a water quality advisory for tidal Back River in the vicinity of Cox Park. Recent sampling in that area indicates high levels of bacteria that could prove harmful with direct contact. “In response to recent public health concerns around water quality in sections of Back River, County Executive Johnny Olszewski directed …

MDE, Baltimore leadership reach agreement on corrections at Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of the Environment and Baltimore leadership have reached an agreement that charts a course for continued progress at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. The revised order, issued by MDE Secretary Horacio Tablada and consented to by Baltimore City, requires the city to cooperate with MES in order to prevent or correct water pollution and ensure …

Baltimore County conducts enhanced bacterial monitoring, provides update on Back River

TOWSON, MD—In response to recent public health concerns about water quality in sections of Back River, County Executive Johnny Olszewski has directed Baltimore County’s environmental health specialists and natural resource specialists to coordinate enhanced bacterial monitoring of Back River in the areas adjacent to and downstream from Baltimore City’s Back River Wastewater Treatment plant. In addition to routine seasonal sampling …

HEALTH ALERT: Residents advised to avoid contact with water in Back River

BALTIMORE, MD—Due to contaminants in Back River that can cause illness, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Health on Friday issued an alert advising residents to avoid contact with the water. The advisory contains the following recommendations: Avoid contact with Back River water Do not drink stream water Do not swim or wade in the …

Maryland Department of the Environment issues statement after solid material seen floating in Back River [VIDEO]

UPDATE: A Health Alert has been issued advising residents to avoid contact with the water in the Back River. Original story below… —— ESSEX, MD—The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a statement indicating that it has has begun to take steps toward improving operations at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant after solid materials were spotted floating in …

Attorney General Frosh files lawsuit for environmental violations at two local wastewater treatment plants

BALTIMORE, MD—Attorney General Brian E. Frosh on Friday filed a lawsuit in Baltimore City circuit court on behalf of the Maryland Department of the Environment to eliminate unpermitted discharges from the two largest wastewater treatment plants in Maryland: the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant. Both plants are owned and operated by Baltimore City. During …