5 Million Gallons of Wastewater Overflow into Maryland Creek
5.22 million gallons of sewer water overflows into Maryland's Broad Creek.
More than 5 million gallons of wastewater overflowed into Broad Creek in Fort Washington, Maryland after an underground pip apparently failed, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) officials said Friday.
Officials confirmed that drinking water was not affected as the water and wastewater systems are entirely separate.
WSSC said the overflow began just after 11 a.m. at the Broad Creek Wastewater Pumping station and continued for 12 hours. While the cause is still under investigation, initial reports indicated that a failed pipe buried about 30 feet below the station might be the cause.
Crews cleaned up the area and posted signs warning people to steer clear. They also applied lime around the area.
The pumping station has resumed normal operations.