Press Release: Health Advisory Warns the Back River is Unsafe for Recreational Contact
|

Press Release: Health Advisory Warns the Back River is Unsafe for Recreational Contact

Baltimore, MD – Blue Water Baltimore (BWB), home of the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, and Chesapeake Legal Alliance applaud the Maryland Department of the Environment and Department of Public Health for issuing an advisory today warning the public to avoid water contact in the Back River.   BWB has analyzed bacteria samples taken in coordination with the…

| | |

PRESS RELEASE: Blue Water Baltimore Asks Court to Proceed with Case Against Baltimore City Over Wastewater Treatment Violations

Baltimore, MD – Blue Water Baltimore (BWB), home of the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, is proceeding in its federal case against Baltimore City originally filed in December 2021 for excessive pollution and ongoing violations of the federal Clean Water Act at the Patapsco and Back River Wastewater Treatment Plants.   The parties previously agreed to temporarily pause…

Back River WWTP Updates

What’s happened recently: Last week, with the help of residents and our scientists, MDE confirmed that conditions at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant had gone from bad to worse. In his order to Baltimore City, which operates the plant, MDE Secretary Grumbles cited the risk of “catastrophic failure” and ordered a return to compliance within 48 hours. After the subsequent…

| | |

PRESS RELEASE: Blue Water Baltimore Files Lawsuit Against Baltimore City Over Wastewater Treatment Violations

Baltimore, MD – Blue Water Baltimore (BWB), home of the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on Wednesday against Baltimore City for excessive pollution and ongoing violations of the Clean Water Act at the Patapsco and Back River Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs).  BWB is…

PRESS RELEASE: BWB and CBF Take Action Against Short-sighted Stormwater Permits
| | |

PRESS RELEASE: BWB and CBF Take Action Against Short-sighted Stormwater Permits

Baltimore, MD – Blue Water Baltimore (BWB), partnering with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), today filed a petition for judicial review of  the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permits recently issued for Baltimore City and County. These permits, reviewed and re-issued every five years by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), provide requirements for municipalities to address pollution and flooding caused by…

Updates on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Violations: what’s going on?

Last week was a big one for our Waterkeeper team. Working with our attorneys at the Chesapeake Legal Alliance, we have been advancing a legal strategy to ensure public accountability and transparency in the clean-up of Maryland’s two largest wastewater treatment plants. First and foremost, we have been engaging in proactive communication with Baltimore City DPW…

PRESS RELEASE: BWB in Discussions with Baltimore DPW and MDE Regarding Wastewater Treatment Plant Violations 

Blue Water Baltimore in Discussions with Baltimore DPW and MDE Regarding Actions Needed to Correct Wastewater Treatment Plant Violations  Contact  Leanna Powell, Director of Development and Communications, Blue Water Baltimore (301) 602-0699 [email protected]  Angela Haren, Senior Attorney, Chesapeake Legal Alliance (415) 310-3550 [email protected]     Baltimore, MD – Blue Water Baltimore (BWB), the independent non-profit public watchdog for the Patapsco and Back River watersheds, has initiated discussions with both the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Baltimore City Department of Public…

PRESS RELEASE: Blue Water Baltimore Alerts MDE to Major Deficiencies at Baltimore’s Wastewater Treatment Plants

PRESS RELEASE: Blue Water Baltimore Alerts MDE to Major Deficiencies at Baltimore’s Wastewater Treatment Plants

August 30, 2021 Contact Alice Volpitta, Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper with Blue Water Baltimore (410) 236-9136 [email protected]   Blue Water Baltimore Alerts MDE to Major Deficiencies at Baltimore’s Wastewater Treatment Plants  Baltimore, MD – Blue Water Baltimore, home of the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, has provided results of our ongoing water quality monitoring program to the Maryland…

2021 MDGA Wrap-Up

There was even more pressure on this year’s already-tight Maryland General Assembly Session, due to the pandemic-related cancelation of much of last year’s. Despite the time crunch, the MDGA made some strides toward a healthier, more protected environment. You can find the results of each bill we supported below, but here’s a summary of what’s…

Baltimore City Rolls Out Direct Assistance Program for Sewage Cleanups

Baltimore City Rolls Out Direct Assistance Program for Sewage Cleanups

Download this press release New Mayor Hears Residents’ and Advocates’ Call for Improved Sewage Backup Support Today, Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works announced the launch of a new Sewage Onsite Support (SOS) Cleanup Program. This announcement marks an important step in the right direction by the new  administration, and…