Health Department Warns Residents To Avoid Patapsco River

After a force main break at a Baltimore County pumping station on Sunday, the Anne Arundel County Department of Health ordered an emergency closing and is urging residents to avoid direct contact with the Patapsco River in Brooklyn.

Anyone who comes in contact with the water should immediately wash well with soap and warm water, according to a press release from the health department. Clothing also should be washed.

The Baltimore County Department of Public Works has utility contractors working to restore the line—which is releasing about 17 million gallons of sewage daily—with repairs expected to be completed by Thursday.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health posted emergency closing signs along the section of the Patapsco from Annapolis Road downstream and the closure is in effect until further notice, according to the release.

For more information on the status of the closing, visit aahealth.org or call the Water Quality Line at 410-222-7999.