When raw sewage leaves our homes, pipes and sewers lead it to wastewater treatment plants for cleaning and purification before it is discharged into surface water. Dysfunctional plants harm the environment in a host of ways, which has unfortunately become the case in Back River—practically our own back yard…
What's the Deal With Wastewater?
Raw sewage contains nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) which accelerate plant growth when present. Wastewater also carries lethal diseases such as E. coli and cholera. Wastewater treatment plants treat the water to make it as safe as possible before releasing it into local surface water. There are three levels of treatment: -Preliminary: water sent through filters to eliminate solid waste. -Primary Treatment: sedimentation: solids settle into sludge at the bottom of the tank. The sludge will be dried and disposed. -Secondary Treatment: aeration: oxygen is provided to let bacteria remove harmful agents. Additional sludge will settle and will be discharged. Chlorine or ozone is used to disinfect water. -Tertiary Treatment (not often used): removes nitrates and phosphate.
Human and Environmental Health
It goes without saying that such infected waters are unsafe for bathing, swimming, and seafood consumption. Untreated wastewater contains a host of substances and chemicals that are harmful to the environment: pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses), nutrients from human waste (nitrogen and phosphorus), parasites, toxicants (from soaps and detergents), urban runoff, heavy metals (mercury, lead, copper)… Pathogenic bacteria survive in the water from a couple of days to several weeks and infect estuarine and marine life. Since nitrogen and phosphorus are macronutrients needed in large quantities for plant growth, deficits (which are often the case) limit plant growth. The large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in raw sewage cause uncontrollable plant growth in surface water. Excessive algae growth—called an algal bloom—on the surface of water blocks sunlight and reduces photosynthesis. Less photosynthesis means less dissolved oxygen, which suffocates organisms. Decomposition requires more oxygen, further depletes the supply, killing more organisms, and creating a positive feedback loop.
Slideshow photos from wbatlTV11.
What's the Deal with Back River?
The Maryland Department of the Environment conducted inspections at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant in June, September and December 2021. The Department found several violated conditions of the Back River Discharge Permit.
Following 2021's problematic data, the Maryland Department of the Environment conducted a final inspection of the Back River WWTP in March 2022. The inspection revealed:
-Unpermitted discharges into Back River -Monthly violations of authorized levels of suspended solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus -Only 2 of 11 primary settling tanks were functioning properly -Failing solid settling processes and clogging of the denitrification filter system -Inadequate maintenance of denitrification filters (high levels of nitrogen were entering Back River) -Algae accumulated in multiple systems and prevented proper functioning of machines
For these reasons, the Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles ordered the Maryland Environmental Service to take charge of the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Health issued the following recommendations on April 22nd:
-Avoid contact with Back River water -Do not drink stream water -Do not swim or wade in the water -Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating -If you accidentally touch the water, wash with soap and water as soon as possible -If you have open wounds or sores that come in contact with stream water, talk with your healthcare provider -If water contact cannot be avoided, cover any open wounds or sores with waterproof bandages
Back River's deteriorated situation is not confined to its own waters. The river flows into the Chesapeake Bay…
Chesapeake Bay
Back River is part of the Chesapeake Bay's large watershed. Anything that happens in Back River will have repercussions in the Chesapeake. Infections and bacteria in Back River will make their way to the Bay. Wildlife will be hurt, food chains disrupted, ecosystems destroyed, ecosystem services fishing yield diminished, seafood prices raised, local communities and tourism hurt. Nitrogen and phosphorus added to the Bay will cause algal blooms. Photosynthesis will be limited, food chains disrupted, ecosystems destroyed, fishing yield diminished, seafood prices raised, seafood supply diminished, tourism hurt. The Bay is already under environmental stress. We can no longer afford avoidable mistakes that continue to deteriorate the Chesapeake Bay, its ecosystems and wildlife.
Sources:
"Public health advisory and progress report issued for Back River." Maryland Department of the Environment. https://news.maryland.gov/mde/2022/04/22/public-health-advisory-and-progress-report-issued-for-back-river/
"State issues public health advisory: Avoid the water in the Back River." WBALTV11.
"Maryland Environmental Service ordered to take charge of Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant." WBALTV11. https://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-environmental-service-back-river-wastewater-treatment-plant/39548816
"Directive to the Maryland Environmental Service by the Secretary of the Environment." Secretary of the Environment. https://htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/mde-directive-to-mes-re-back-river-27mar22-1648414996.pdf
"State Health, Environment Departments advise residents to avoid contact with Back River water following contamination." CBS Baltimore. https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2022/04/22/back-river-public-health-advisory-contaminants/