Sewer line blockage causes overflow on Bay Street

A gravity sewer line behind Bay Street discharged approximately 6,000 gallons of untreated wastewater into the ponds on Bay Street Wednesday, according to a release from Easton Utilities.

The spill was contained within the ponds, which have a total volume of 600,000 gallons. As a precaution, a majority of the pond contents was pumped, by Easton Utilities, into the wastewater collection system.

A “minimal amount” of combined pond water and wastewater was discharged to the North Fork of the Tred Avon River while recovery operations were being established, Easton Utilities said.

“Our crews worked expediently and diligently once we were made aware of the issue as we realized immediately the impact this could have on public health, as wells as fish and wildlife in the area,” said Doug Abbott, Easton Utilities’ director of engineering, gas, water and wastewater.

The Talbot County Health Department and Maryland Department of the Environment responded to the incident. The Health Department determined this event has potential impact to public health due to frequent recreational uses of the Bay Street ponds and the North Fork of the Tred Avon River.

As a result, the TCHD and Easton Utilities temporarily closed access to the ponds and posted signs prohibiting recreational use while clean-up efforts are underway.

It is recommended that the public avoid direct contact with the water and use caution in the waterways from Tanyard Branch west of Washington Street, the Bay Street Ponds, and, out of an abundance of caution, the North Fork of the Tred Avon River. It is further recommended to pay attention to bacteria results and water quality information provided by ShoreRivers for Easton Point Park.

The cause of the backup was due to the sewer line being clogged with a combination of grease, rags and “flushable” wipes, the release said. Easton Utilities reported these overflows to state and local health authorities and promptly treated the areas affected with lime to disinfect the surfaces around the points of discharge.

Easton Utilities strongly urges the public and food service establishments to be mindful of what they release to the sewer lines. Only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed — disinfecting and “flushable” wipes and other items should be properly disposed of in the trash, they said.

In addition, they said everyone should keep fats, oil, and grease out of drains to prevent blockages or backups.