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Baltimore Wastewater Plants Strive to Resolve Pollution Violations
21 Oct
Summary
- Baltimore's wastewater treatment plants face permit violations since 2017
- COVID-19, supply chain, and staffing issues contributed to problems at the plants
- City required to take corrective actions and pay penalties under consent decree
In October 2025, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works will host two public meetings to provide updates on the city's progress in meeting the requirements of a consent decree related to operations at its wastewater treatment plants. The consent decree, entered into in 2021 by the City of Baltimore, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and Blue Water Baltimore, addresses past violations of discharge permits issued to the Back River and Patapsco wastewater treatment plants.
Under the decree, the city must take corrective actions and pay penalties to address the issues. The meetings will cover the plants' operational performance, capital improvements, and efforts to ensure a healthy environment. In 2021, the Maryland Department of the Environment found permit violations dating back to 2017 at the two plants, with pollution, bacteria, and nutrients flowing into the Back River and the Chesapeake Bay.
Baltimore City officials have attributed the problems to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, staff retirements, and difficulties in hiring new personnel. The consent decree requires the Department of Public Works to take steps to resolve these challenges and improve the plants' operations.
