There is now bi-partisan pushback against a new plan that would bring wastewater from the Ohio train derailment to Baltimore, where it would be processed.
The wastewater could come to Maryland as soon as Thursday of this week, and local and state leaders are stepping up to voice their concerns.
Councilman Todd Crandell, of Baltimore County, says, “We are unequivocally opposed of this action.”
As early as Thursday, wastewater from the Ohio train derailment could make its way to Clean Harbors, a private company in Baltimore City, where it would be treated.
Delegate Ric Metzgar, of Baltimore County says, “If I have to stand in front of the train to stop it, I will do it because we need to eliminate this before it happens.”
The 675,000 gallons of water would then be released into the city sanitary sewer lines and eventually make its way to the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“While the EPA thought maybe it was a state-of-the-art facility, they probably weren’t aware of all the problems we’ve had at that plant,” said Delegate Kathy Szeliga, of Baltimore County. “It’s not ready to accept that kind of wastewater into its facility.”
Delegate Szeliga and other state lawmakers are working quickly to pass bi-partisan legislation to stop this from happening.
Despite the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency saying they cannot stop toxic material from coming into our state.
“These trains full of wastewater from East Palestine Ohio can come to Baltimore, they can be treated at the private facility, but then they can be loaded back on a train and sent somewhere else,” said Delegate Szeliga. “That’s what we’re hoping will happen, in unity and bipartisan say that the wastewater plant in back river is not functioning at 100 percent.”
The Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant has faced numerous problems, and the state had to step in for an environmental rescue mission to get the plant up to compliance.
Delegate Bob Long, of Baltimore County, says, “We have other facilities they could take this water to, and given what’s happened at Back River it’s just adding more problems down there because they are almost in a catastrophic failure.”
Concerns about the plan to bring wastewater to the plant are also coming out of Baltimore County.
“God forbid something goes wrong and our river at back river is contaminated once again, so that’s why were opposed to this action, and were taking every step in our means to stop this,” said Councilman Crandell.
Not only are state and Baltimore County leaders against the wastewater coming to Maryland, but Baltimore City leaders are introducing resolution asking the EPA to reverse their decision.
“It’s really unfortunate that the EPA and the Biden administration would do this with so little communication,” said Councilman Zeke Cohen, of Baltimore City. “I know the mayor’s team and all of us are looking at legal options to reverse this decision.”
They are working together across both parties, with the hopes of protecting city and county residents, as well as the Chesapeake Bay.
“The Chesapeake Bay is our greatest natural resource in Maryland,” said Delegate Szeliga. “I’m hoping our combined efforts will be able to stop this wastewater from going into our sewer system, our treatment plant, and eventually into the bay.”
Beyond the environmental concerns, several state and local leaders tell Fox 45 News that they are worried about the lack of communication because they found out about this only days ago.