The executive director of Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland issued a statement expressing concern over what they called “chronic sewage spills” from Maryland waterways, including a major Potomac River spill that made national headlines.
“Sewage spills have become commonplace and it’s unacceptable,” said Allison Colden, executive director of CBF Maryland, in a statement. “Maryland needs a long-term solution to this problem, and the funding to back it up. We recognize Maryland legislators are battling federal uncertainty and a looming $1.4 billion budget deficit. But the longer Maryland waits to upgrade this infrastructure, the higher constructions costs will become, and the higher the risks for communities will be.”
In February, wastewater and stormwater overflows affected the Patapsco River in Linthicum Heights and the Choptank River in Cambridge. The Linthicum Heights overflow caused a temporary closure of the river, and while the spill was resolved within the day, the Department of Health issued an advisory against direct water contact for the next eight days. The Choptank River overflow involved an estimated 5,000 gallons of a mixture of untreated sanitary waste and stormwater being discharged into the river. That was also resolved and the river treated the same day and had no impact on drinking water supply. The public was still advised to avoid contact with the affected waters for the two days following the spill.
These two incidents were smaller in scale than the Potomac spill, but they are considered “chronic” because they happen regularly since infrastructure is aging and in need of repair. This is exacerbated by heavy rainfall due to climate change. The spills lead to pollution, algal blooms, and fish kills in the Chesapeake Bay, in addition to the health risks posed to the people in those communities. This is especially true of communities that rely on local fish for food.
Maryland has made strides in reducing pollution from wastewater treatment plants since the Bay’s Clean Water Blueprint was implemented in 2009. But infrastructure remains a problem, as pipes that carry sewage to the plants are still vulnerable.
Maryland legislators are working to develop next year’s budget and CBF is urging them to support wastewater infrastructure upgrades and maintenance for next year and for the long haul. The Bay Restoration Fund, for example, has already paid for many wastewater treatment upgrades, but it is slated for major cutbacks in 2030.
