Sewage Flowing Into Patapsco After Pipe Rupture

A ruptured pipe at the Patapsco Sewage Pumping Station on the 4600-block of Annapolis Road is spilling up to 17 million gallons per day into the Patapsco River until repairs are completed, according to David Fidler, spokesperson for the Baltimore County Department of Public Works.

The rupture began around 3:30 p.m. on March 25 and was discovered by public works crews around 11 p.m., according to Fidler.

The 54-inch cast iron pipe, which carries untreated sewage produced in the western half of the county to a treatment plant in Baltimore City, is located near a line that .

Repairs to the rupture are difficult and are not expected to be completed until Thursday.

"The engineering complexities are there," Fidler said. "The repair requires some specialized services and engineering."

Three major utility contractors that specialize in large repairs have been brought in to route sewage around the station while the pipe is replaced, Fidler said.

The cause of the rupture is unknown, he said.