ESSEX (MD) The Maryland Department of the Environment released a statement indicating that they have begun to improve operations at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. This statement was issued after solid materials were found floating in the Back River’s waters this week.
The Back River Restoration CommitteeBased in Essex and uploading video of solid materials floating in water (see video below), he stated that it is currently unsafe to come in contact with the Back River water.
Following the last summers News coverage highlights massive illegal releasesThe city was already facing lawsuits by the state and Baltimore for partially treated sewage, and serious operational failures of Baltimore’s two treatment facilities. Blue Water Baltimore.
The environmental watchdog group has been working together with the Maryland Department of the Environment for the past two month to create a consent order to bring the polluting plants in compliance. Baltimore Brew.
FOX 45 reportsAfter seeing concerns about water conditions, the Back River Restoration Committee took water samples at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plants effluent pipeline Tuesday morning.
After sending the samples, Blue WAter Baltimore received them. The results are stated by BRRCThe enterococcus bacteria level was 24,196MPN/100mL.
According to the BRRC, According to the State of MarylandThe water quality threshold for enterococcus in the United States is 130 MPN/100mL.
The Department of Public Works maintains the material in the water is rawsewage.
“The Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains that the continuous characterization of discharges from the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant as untreated wastewater is absolutely not factual,” DPW stated in a statementThis week. “The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) examined a sample of solid waste materials observed earlier this week (April 14) in Back River. MDEs analysis revealed that this was not raw sewerage. This week’s sample of solid waste material is similar to the March 23 sample MDE received from Blue Water Baltimore. Microscopic analysis revealed no life (i.e. bacteria, fungi and nematodes) in the March 23 sample. This indicates that there were no undigested byproducts. The strong odor in both samples was similar to nutrient-rich oxygen-depleted marsh mud.”
The following statement was made Friday by the Maryland Department of the Environment:
“The Maryland Environmental Service, as directed by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), has begun to take steps toward improving operations at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. MDE has taken every step necessary to improve conditions at the plant since June of last, but when the directive was issued on March 27, plant operations were in a state that was rapidly declining. MDE hopes that operations will improve during the Maryland Environmental Services temporary operating of the facility. MES will remain in place for as long as necessary to work with Baltimore City in order to achieve our goal to bring this plant into compliance.
“MDE is aware of concerns about solid materials observed in Back River earlier this week. Last month, there were reports that floating clumps were being reported. We found floating mats made of filamentous algae in Back River. A sample of the material we had at the time was also supported that conclusion. We examined a sample we had this week. MDEs analysis indicates this is NOT raw sewage.”
The complete statement of MDE can be viewed You can find us on Facebook here.