Community Science in Back River
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Community Science in Back River

Blue Water Baltimore has completed our first Community Science pilot program with residents of the area around Back River. The Back River Restoration Committee reached out to us last year about ways residents could get involved in the ongoing water quality issues in the river, and last month Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper Alice Volpitta and water…

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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…

Our Water Warriors: The Duo Behind BWB’s Water Quality Program 

Our Water Warriors: The Duo Behind BWB’s Water Quality Program 

Winter or summer, rain or shine our science team is out on the water monitoring the quality of our waterways. Barbara Johnson is BWB’s Water Quality Manager & Cody Matteson is our Senior Coordinator for the Water Quality Program. Together they make the ultimate duo, traversing our streams and harbor to track the progress we’re…

A Year in Review: 2021 Water Wins 
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A Year in Review: 2021 Water Wins 

It’s been a whirlwind of a year on all fronts, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve navigated through many challenges, welcomed new staff members to our BWB family, and we’re working every day to hold polluters accountable. So, what has your Baltimore Waterkeeper team been up to?   Growing our Team of Water Protectors  Our…

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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
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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…

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The Power of One: How One Concerned Citizen Brought the Jones Falls Fish Kill to Light

On a Sunday morning in September, Todd Evans was taking his dog Rue on a walk along the Jones Falls Bike Trail near the Woodberry Woods. As Rue sniffed around the trails’ edge, something caught his eye in the water below. A thick layer of foam had developed on the rapids and the air stank…

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Celebrating 2020: Monitoring & Advocacy

2020 was a year like no other for water quality monitoring and advocacy in Baltimore, and we are proud of our accomplishments and flexibility during such a tumultuous time. We continued our water quality monitoring program despite the many challenges of COVID, utilizing our in-house rapid bacteria setup to continue processing bacteria samples. We hosted…

It’s our 10th birthday and you’re invited!
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It’s our 10th birthday and you’re invited!

In June 2010, Blue Water Baltimore was founded through a merger of five amazing watershed organizations, and it’s only gotten better from there. Join us as we turn 10 – a milestone we’re celebrating all month long! June will be full of fun events, special stories, and virtual high-fives with some of the thousands of…

Rain Barrels: Your Questions Answered
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Rain Barrels: Your Questions Answered

With April showers come May flowers, and rain barrels can help keep your gardens blooming and our local streams and rivers clean! Looking to install a rain barrel at home? Here are some frequently asked questions answered by our Restoration and Herring Run Nursery staff. Q: What are rain barrels?  A: Rain barrels are containers…