Anne Arundel County sewer break released 16,200 gallons into Cypress Creek | The Locally Times
A force main pipe failure in Severna Park on May 31 required three hours of containment by county crews.
A force main sewer break in the 800 block of Ritchie Highway released 16,200 gallons of sewage on May 31. The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works (DPW), the agency responsible for water and sewer infrastructure, contained the overflow by 7:30 p.m. that day. While most of the waste remained on land, an unspecified portion reached Cypress Creek. ## Cleanup and Containment DPW Emergency Services received notification of the break at 4:30 p.m. on May 31. Crews treated the affected ground with lime and vacuumed the site to mitigate contamination. The county posted warning signs in the area to notify the public of the spill. ## Health and Environmental Risks The Anne Arundel County Department of Health, the agency that monitors local water safety, advises residents who touched the ground in the affected area to wash skin with soap and warm water. Officials recommend cleaning any clothing exposed to the site. The Maryland Department of the Environment, the state agency that regulates water quality, is monitoring the site with the DPW. No timeline for water quality testing exists as of June 2. ## Infrastructure Status The cause of the failure remains under investigation. The county has not released the age of the pipe or whether the section was scheduled for maintenance in the current capital budget. The DPW has not specified the total cost of the emergency cleanup or whether the event will necessitate utility rate adjustments for taxpayers. ## Key Questions **Is it safe to use Cypress Creek?** The county posted warning signs in the area. Residents should avoid contact with the water and ground in the vicinity until further notice from the Department of Health. **What should I do if I was near the spill site?** Health officials instruct anyone who touched the ground in the 800 block of Ritchie Highway since May 31 to wash thoroughly with soap and warm water and clean any exposed clothing.