30,000 Gallons of Sewage Leaks into Choptank River

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – The City of Cambridge is notifying the public that of a sanitary sewer overflow that began on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and ended around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20.

The spill is believed to be the result of a ruptured force main, and occurred adjacent to the parking lot behind 2831 Ocean Gateway. Officials believe approximately 30,000 gallons of a mixture of untreated sanitary waste and stormwater were discharged into the Choptank River.

The ruptured force main has since been repaired and affected areas have been cleaned. There is no impact to the public drinking water supply at this time. The overflow has been reported to the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Dorchester County Health Department.

Due to the leak, the public is advised to avoid contact with the affected waters and any standing water near the overflow location. Swimming, fishing, and other direct contact activities should be avoided in the Choptank River, from East of Woods Road to the Eastern City boundary.