33K Gallons Of Sewage Spills Out Of Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant

SAVAGE, MD — Some of the estimated 33,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the Little Patuxent River Oct. 30 after an overflow was reported at the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant in Savage.

The Department of Public Works was notified of a potential overflow around 1:45 p.m. Officials say the leak was caused by damage to a seal on a bypass pump. The overflow spread into a nearby wooded area and storm drains before discharging into the Little Patuxent River.

Employees saw the overflow around 1 p.m. and were able to replace the damaged seal and stop the overflow by 2 p.m. Lime was applied to areas affected by the sewage overflow, and signs posted along the river notifying people about the incident, county officials noted.

The Maryland Department of the Environment also was notified of the overflow and response actions.

The Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant serves the central part of Howard County, which contains 56% of the county's population. This includes the towns of Columbia, Savage and North Laurel. There are 820 miles of gravity and force main sewer pipe that carries wastewater to the plant.

Most of the western part of Howard County is rural. Waste from septic tanks in this area is transported to the plant by truck. The eastern portion of the county, including Ellicott City, Elkridge, and Jessup is served by the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore City, according to the county.