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From Streams to the Statehouse: Kids Speak for Clean Water

This spring, Blue Water Baltimore partnered with our friends at The St. Paul’s School to engage 55 third graders in stream discovery and learning about the Urban Water Cycle at their campus in Timonium. Our team of engagement specialists devised a full day of experiential learning for the students, which started out with a “toilet…

2025 Maryland Legislative Session Wrap-Up: Speaking Up for Clean Water

On April 7th, the Maryland General Assembly concluded its 2025 legislative session.  Once again Blue Water Baltimore brought the Patapsco and Back River watersheds to Annapolis, ensuring our waterways and their communities were heard by decision-makers loud and clear.  From landmark victories that will shape our communities for years to come, to missed opportunities that…

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Press Statement on Baltimore City DPW’s Sewer Consent Decree Annual Public Meeting

Advocates and Communities Demand Sewer Backup Assistance Program Expansion January 18, 2024 Contact: Well over $1 Billion of taxpayer money has been invested in underground pipe projects and improvements at the Back River and Patapsco wastewater treatment plants. Significant progress has been made. Yet rainfall and other conditions continue to overwhelm Baltimore’s sewer system and cause…

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Expand Sewage Backup Assistance

Environmental Regulators Order Baltimore City to Expand Sewage Assistance Program – Rain or Shine July 13, 2023 The Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of the Environment have ordered Baltimore City to expand a program that helps homeowners who have suffered a sewage backup due to problems in the city’s aging sewer pipes, fulfilling…

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What Happened during MD’s 2023 Legislative Session?

After a whirlwind 90 days, Maryland’s 2023 Legislative Session ended on April 10th. Legislators considered over 2,000 bills this session and passed several priorities from the environmental community. Blue Water Baltimore weighed in on over 30 bills that impact environmental and community health in the watersheds where we work. Read on to learn more about…

Advocacy Update: Trees

Updates On Maryland’s Legislative Session

Maryland’s 2023 Legislative Session started on January 11th and will continue until April 10th. During these 90 days, legislators are considering thousands of bills.  Blue Water Baltimore is providing input on dozens of bills this session that will impact environmental and community health in the watersheds where we work. Below is some information about a…

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Wastewater Treatment Plant Update

Photo: Kristian Bjornard/Wikimedia Commons Baltimore City’s WWTP Progress is Under Judicial Scrutiny as Parties Near Consent Decree Negotiations Over a year ago, Blue Water Baltimore, represented by Chesapeake Legal Alliance and Barley Snyder, filed a notice of intent to sue Baltimore City for violations of the Clean Water Act at the two biggest wastewater treatment…

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Take Action! Public Hearing on Sewage Backup Assistance Programs

Sewage backups into peoples’ homes are a big problem in Baltimore City. When raw sewage spurts out from a basement-level toilet, bubbles up from a floor drain, or floods a washing machine, it presents a danger to residents’ health, causes damage to homes, and requires immediate attention and resources to fix.  Backups can be caused…

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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…

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Victory! Mayor Scott Signs Net Zero Operations Bill

On Earth Day, Mayor Scott signed Councilman Mark Conway’s bill to make City government operations net zero by 2045!  YOU made this win happen by writing to your City Councilmembers and the Mayor, posting on social media, and sharing our action alert with your friends and family. Read on for more details on this bill…