Ruptured pipe causes sludge spill

Earlier this month Calvert County’s Department of Public Works, Water and Sewer Division reported that a ruptured pipe at Solomons Wastewater Treatment Plant on Sweetwater Road in Lusby led to a spill of sludge.

In a press release, county government officials said there was no impact to drinking water.

“On call staff received an alarm around 2:40 a.m. on April 14 and arrived at the Solomons plant by 3:15 a.m.,” county spokesman Sarah Ehman told Southern Maryland News in an email. “When staff arrived at the plant and noticed the ruptured pipe, they turned off the pump immediately and cleaning began.”

A county government press release stated “staff followed protocol” and, in order to mitigate environmental impact, lime was applied over the affected area.

“It was determined that approximately 17,500 gallons of return-activated sludge reached a nearby stream that feeds into Hellen’s Creek,” the county government press release stated. “The Maryland Department of Emergency Management was contacted immediately and bilingual signage was posted around the spill site.”

Ehman told Southern Maryland News the spill was caused by “a fitting that sheared off” and the problem was fixed the day after the incident.