Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles directed a Baltimore wastewater treatment plant to stop its discharges, and get back in compliance within 48-hours.
After a recent inspection revealed ongoing pollution violations at Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, grumbles are expected on Thursday
The Back River plant in Dundalk is permitted to discharge up to 180,000,000 gallons of treated wastewater to the Back River, which is a tributary the Chesapeake Bay.
This lawsuit was filed by Maryland two months ago against Baltimore City for untreated discharges into the Chesapeake Bay at the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Blue Water Baltimore, an environmental monitoring group, raised concerns about the high levels of bacteria in Baltimore’s harbor last summer. MDE inspections revealed violations at both plants.
In InspectionTuesday’s inspection at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant revealed unacceptable algae and vegetation growth. A filter intended to remove nitrogen from the water wasn’t working due to high solids concentrations. State inspectors also discovered this. Inspectors also discovered a lot of scum in different parts of the plant that was clogging filters.
According to the, this inspection revealed that the city’s non-compliance with the Back River discharge permit had significantly increased. Order.
Untreated sewage is dangerous because it pollutes waterways and fuels harmful algae blooms. Algae block sunlight and cause a lot decomposition which reduces the amount of oxygen in the water. A dead zone is a place where animals and plants cannot survive due to lack of sunlight and oxygen.
Grumbles stated that the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant’s ongoing and increasing problems pose a serious threat to the environment, public health, and the community. We are taking this extraordinary step in order to demand immediate improvements at the plant as well as accountability for any failures. I will take appropriate action if the conditions of my order fail to be met.
Baltimore City Department of Public Works stated that it was disappointed by Grumbles’ actions, but will respond accordingly.
The City is disappointed that MDEs has been ordered today. This is despite the collaborative efforts to improve performance over several months. DPW sent an email to clarify that the City will respond once the order has been served.
On Wednesday, Del. Robin Grammer (R-Baltimore County), called for Grumbles to be removed as the state Environment secretary owing to the growing problems at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The plant’s problems are both ongoing and growing. We are hearing and seeing accounts of plant failures. Grammer wrote to Gov. that the effluent release, poor water quality, and growing midge infestations are all direct results. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.
Grammar credited local advocates with discovering excessive pollution discharges. He also attacked MDE, Grumbles, for failing to notify elected officials of the problem and for not working with lawmakers this session.
He continued, “The department has kept our officials completely under the radar and has consistently shown a complete lack accountability and oversight.”
A bill was introduced by lawmakers this year to allow the Maryland Department of the Environment, to seek additional administrative and civil penalties against private corporations, individuals, and municipalities that violate safe drinking waters regulations, wastewater facility polluting permits, tidal restrictions, and dam safety regulations. The Senate passed the bill earlier in the week, and the House is scheduled to hear it.
According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation significant pollution reductions will be necessary in order for the Bay to be clean.
There should be no excuses. There have been problems at the plant for at least six years, but no one seems to have taken the initiative. To achieve the Chesapeake Bay cleanup goal, we count on significant pollution reductions due to upgraded wastewater treatment plants. CBF scientist Doug Myers stated that if these upgrades don’t work, the cleanup could be in danger.
