New Mayor Hears Residents’ and Advocates’ Call for Improved Sewage Backup Support
Baltimore, MD - Today, Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works announced the launch of a new Sewage Onsite Support (SOS) Cleanup Program. This announcement marks an important step in the right direction by the new administration, and fulfills a Transition Report promise to make stronger commitments to cleaning up residential sewage backups. This new program will provide some meaningful and long-needed health protection and financial assistance to Baltimore City residents facing a terrible situation in their homes. However, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works still has a long way to go in order to fully address the public health threat and financial burden of sewage backups on Baltimore residents. DPW must develop a plan to provide assistance within the next year to residents who experience sewage backups caused by any blockage in the pipe system and not only those caused by “wet weather.” DPW must also ensure that the direct assistance program provides prompt and effective cleanup services that actually help residents who go through the often-traumatic experience of untreated sewage backing up in their homes. This program is an important part of the long-term solution to sewage overflows and backups that includes reimbursement, direct assistance, prevention education, community outreach, and investment in green and gray infrastructure.
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