What Happens When a Water Main Breaks?
When a water main breaks, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works’ (DPW) key priority is to restore water to homes and businesses experiencing service outages. Although water main breaks happen throughout the year, the winter months can be especially hard on infrastructure, especially during cycles of freezing and thawing. Baltimore City, along with neighboring Baltimore County, has taken proactive steps to upgrade its water infrastructure, replacing and rehabilitating 15 miles of mains annually.
DPW stands ready to restore service quickly when outages are reported by customers. Crews have been called up and are on standby and we also have contractors on-call to assist us. It is important to note that water main breaks are often resolved quickly, but the degree and severity of the breaks are not always known until we arrive onsite, turn off the water, and begin an inspection of the main.
Water mains break due to a variety of factors, especially freezing and thawing conditions that can cause the ground to shift and put stress on the pipes. In addition, a history of previous breaks, pipe corrosion, soil conditions, and age contribute to water main breaks.
1. Baltimore City residents should report water main breaks and other water emergencies to 311 (phone, mobile app, online). Baltimore County customers call (410) 396- 5352.
2. A DPW inspector will be dispatched to investigate the break.
3. The water main valve will be located and turned off to cut off the flow of water.
4. Utility lines are identified and marked.
5. Broken pipe section is located, dug up and repaired or replaced.
6. Excavation site is filled in and roads are repaved.
To keep the public informed, DPW has an Interactive Map that shows up-to-date information on water main repair activity. The interactive map is available on the DPW website: https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/interactive-maps.
Once service is restored, customers who have lost water service should allow water to run through a sink or tub faucet, until it is clear. DPW will also open fire hydrants to clear the water lines.
Let a Thin, Steady Stream Flow!
When temperatures drop below freezing, let a thin stream of cold water run from a basement faucet or from a faucet located on the lowest level of your home. This helps to keep water lines from freezing.
The stream should be a continuous flow, about the thickness of a pencil lead. This water can be caught in a bucket and used later. DPW maintains outdoor water lines up to and including the meter. Water lines running from the meter to the house, and internal plumbing, are the responsibility of the property owner.
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Community Collection Centers Are Now Closed
DPW has closed the Community Collection Centers that were located in each of the City’s 14 Council Districts during the suspension of curbside recycling services. The Department successfully resumed curbside recycling collections on January 19. From September 2020 to January 2021, residents dropped off nearly 3,220 tons of recycling at the Community Collections Centers that were located throughout the City.
Residents are reminded not to leave recycling at any of these now closed Community Collection Centers. Items left at these locations will be considered illegal dumping.
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Want more information on the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW)? Click these links to view the 2021 DPW Calendar, the 2019-2020 Bi-Annual Report, or the 2019 Water Quality Report.
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