Talbot County, Maryland

04/04/2024

Category: Public Works

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m., the Talbot County Sanitary District (Sanitary District) was alerted to high wastewater levels at the Royal Oak Pump Station. When staff responded, they determined the pump had failed and attempted to restart the pump.

Approximately 10 minutes following initial response, the force main line on the northern side of the St. Michaels Road (MD 33) and Royal Oak Road (MD 329) intersection failed.

Staff estimated that approximately 4,000 gallons of untreated wastewater was released into nearby drainage ditch. Livingston Septic Service was contacted to assist with pumping up the sewage that was discharged onto the ground.  Staff estimated that 3,000 gallons were recovered, and placed lime in the areas that were impacted by the spill.

Retallack and Sons, the general contractor on Royal Oak Pump Station project, began replacing the failed pipe section just north of the St. Michaels Road and Royal Oak Road intersection.

Until the pump station could be put back into service, wastewater was pumped into the new pump station that has an emergency holding tank. As efforts were underway in the repair, staff contacted CHT Excavating, a licensed liquid wastewater hauler, to aid with transport of wastewater to Region II Wastewater Treatment Plant.   

At approximately 6:00 p.m., Retallack and Sons completed the repairs to the force main, with the new pump station activated to pump wastewater to the Region II Wastewater system.

Due to weather conditions, personnel from the Sanitary District staff will return to the site of the spill and add additional lime on April 4, 2024.

The spill was immediately reported to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). An Environmental Health representative visited the site and noted there was a potential that a small amount of the spilled wastewater entered the headwaters of an unnamed tributary that discharges to Oak Creek. Upon further review, it was determined that the spill had no impact on the water quality.

If the public has any questions regarding the public health determination they may contact Brennan Greene, Director of Environmental Health, at 410-770-6880 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If the public has questions regarding the discharge or the corrective action that was taken, contact Ray Clarke, County Engineer, at 410-770-8170.

sewage public works mde enivornmental health