PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (November 13, 2009) - Heavy rains and high tides have contributed to a sanitary sewer overflow at the Solomons Wastewater Headworks Facility in Solomons, Md. The overflow began at 5:25 p.m., Thursday, November 12, and ended at 4:20 a.m., Friday, November 13. Approximately 230,000 gallons of untreated, diluted wastewater was discharged into the Patuxent River.
The overflow was released from an emergency holding pond and traveled 450 feet over ground to the Patuxent River. The area along the overflow pathway was disinfected with lime.
The Calvert County Department of Public Works took steps to minimize the overflow. Septic haulers were called in to transport wastewater directly to the Solomons Wastewater Treatment Plant, preventing the release of approximately 290,000 gallons of wastewater. For reference, a total of more than one million gallons of influent was received at the treatment plant on November 12.
The Calvert County Health Department and Maryland Department of the Environment were notified of the release.
Source: Calvert County government