Screenshot 2024 04 07 11.03.18 pm

Patapsco & Back River Wastewater Pollution

  • When maintenance issues first began according to MDE inspection

  • Earliest reported Patapsco WWTP violations

  • Period: to

    July to April: Patapsco WWTP exceeds pollution discharge/nitrogen & phosphorus limits

  • BWB alerts MDE to very high bacteria levels at Patapsco WWTP

  • Back River & Patapsco WWTP issues publicly revealed in BWB press release

  • BWB, represented by Chesapeake Legal Alliance, files federal Clean Water Act lawsuit against Baltimore City

  • MDE & BWB file state lawsuit against Baltimore City: get Patapsco & Back River back in compliance or face daily fines

  • After another failed inspection, MDE takes over Back River WWTP, orders MES to fix it

  • MDE advises to avoid any contact with Back River water for public health safety

  • MDE & MES release detailed report on staffing & maintenance issues

  • Settlement Finalized: Civil Penalty of $4.7M & Mandatory Improvement Timeline