Balt. Officials Reveal New Plan To Ensure Sewer System Is Up To Date

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Old pipes can mean big problems for people living in the city. Now there's a plan to make sure that the sewer system is up to date.

Jessica Kartalija reports it's all in an effort to make the city an even better place to live.

Sewer backups are pretty...well, gross.

"When your lines get clogged and the sewage backs up into your house, it can be hard to think about anything else," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

So now Rawlings-Blake is announcing that, starting now, some 9,000 sewage connectors will be replaced. These lines, called laterals, were installed about 80 years ago.

"Over time, some of these sewer laterals cracked, developed separated joints, or have experienced blockages from tree roots entering through cracks or offset joints," she said.

The Department of Public Works will inspect and repair the public portion of the city's sewers, improving the city's wastewater conveyance system.

"As this program rolls out, we expect to see a significant decrease in the number of basement backups that are occurring among our customers on a daily basis," said Madeleine Driscoll, DPW.

The mayor says it's part of her plan to grow the city by 10,000 families.

"In order to grow a city, you must be able to attract new residents while giving our current residents more reasons to stay," she said.

One of Baltimore's biggest challenges is replacing the city's aging infrastructure.

"I am very happy the city is going to be having the opportunity to do this work proactively," said Councilman Bill Henry.

DPW hopes that if you've never had a sewer backup, it stays that way. If you have, they hope to have it fixed as soon as possible.

If the inspections show there are sewer issues that fall under a homeowner's responsibility, a letter will be sent to the resident in the mail.

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