Dubious Distinction: Baltimore's Sewer Overflows

The summer 2013 season's rains and flash flooding alerts could potentially contribute to Baltimore's already not-so-stellar sewer overflow record.

From 2008 to 2012, the city of Baltimore has had the top 20 longest-lasting reported sewer overflows in Maryland, with the Jones Falls incident in 2008 lasting the longest of almost five days, according to Maryland StateStat.

Superstorm Sandy caused sewer overflows last October, dumping 1.3 million gallons of raw waste in the Patapsco River and 3,417 gallons into Gwynns Falls, according to the Baltimore Sun and StateStat.

Even more recently, residents reported Stony Run's second sewer overflow of June. The first resulted in about 28,000 gallons of sewage spilling into Stony Run from a break in a sewage pipe.

On July 3, the Baltimore City Board of Estimates approved a three-year program of water and sewer rate adjustments that increased the rates by 15 percent effective the next day, according to the Department of Public Works. This would mean a $23 increase in the first year for the average customer consuming 170 gallons of water daily.

The program would "ensure its citizens and customers have access to clean water and adequate sewer systems long into the future," the Department of Public Works said in a press release.

Earlier this week, business owners said they were shocked to learn that their tax bills for some properties increased by 60 to 80 percent due to the new storm water management fee, or rain tax.