Patapsco River Under Advisory After Massive Sewage Spill

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County health officials on Friday warned against swimming and fishing in the Patapsco River after 21 million gallons of sewage overflowed into the waterway.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health issued an advisory after the partially treated wastewater seeped into the river due to an overflow at the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore City.

The overflow was initially reported to the Anne Arundel County health officials at 11 p.m. on Thursday.

The advisory affects the headwaters of the Patapsco River to the mouth of Bodkin Creek. It will remain in place for seven days, officials said. While the advisory is in effect, people should avoid direct contact with the water.

"Anyone fishing in the Patapsco River and neighboring waterways should be cautious and consider wearing gloves, and if there is any water contact, wash your hands with soap and warm water as soon as possible," officials said.

For more information about this advisory, call the Department of Health’s Recreational Water Quality Monitoring Program at 410-222-7999 or visit AAHealth.org/rec-water.