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Power Loss Leads To Sewage Overflow In Little Patuxent River

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Anne Arundel County Health Department is warning residents to stay away from the Little Patuxent River after a power outage caused an overflow of 2 million gallons of wastewater into the river during the superstorm.

The health department ordered the river closed Tuesday. Officials are warning people against wading or having any direct contact with the water south of Route 32.

Howard County's Little Patuxent Wastewater Reclamation Plant lost power on Monday and Tuesday. That led to contamination of the river with untreated sewage.

The health department says anyone who has contact with the water should wash with soap and water.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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