Press Release
March 15, 2023
Baltimore, MD—Blue Water Baltimore and the Chesapeake Legal Alliance sincerely hope that early reports indicating no injuries in today’s explosion at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) are accurate, and that the plant can safely resume full operations as soon as possible. Our organizations have been raising concerns for nearly two years about unsafe conditions at the Back River and Patapsco WWTPs, which threaten the environment, nearby residents, and plant workers.
According to the Baltimore County Fire Department, the explosion and fire occurred in the Synagro building at Back River WWTP, where solid waste is dried for eventual use as fertilizer. Solids handling and processing have been noted as potential safety hazards in Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) inspection reports. For example, 2022 inspections indicated that sludge processing at Patapsco WWTP was on hold due to fire and explosion risks. Additionally, the June 2022 Maryland Environmental Service comprehensive report highlighted that operational issues at Back River slowed solids handling due to concerns over Synagro’s ability to safely process materials under its fire suppression system.
Blue Water Baltimore and the Chesapeake Legal Alliance have been engaged in months-long negotiations with MDE and Baltimore City to develop a consent decree addressing ongoing Clean Water Act and state pollution control violations at both WWTPs. We strongly support third-party oversight at these facilities. As authorities investigate the cause of today’s explosion, this incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive plan, including independent oversight, to ensure safe, compliant operation and maintenance of these critical wastewater treatment plants.
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Blue Water Baltimore, home of the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit watershed organization with a mission to restore the quality of Baltimore’s rivers, streams, and Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy, and thriving communities.
Chesapeake Legal Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that applies the power of the law to protect and restore clean water and promote healthy, resilient ecosystems for communities across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Alice Volpitta, Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, Blue Water Baltimore, avolpitta@bluewaterbaltimore.org, (410) 236-9136
Angela Haren, Senior Attorney, Chesapeake Legal Alliance, angela@chesapeakelegal.org, (415) 310-3550
