Just as water moves downstream so does Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER and its efforts to learn and connect with other Waterkeepers. October 24th, our Chesapeake Conservation & Climate Corps member, Brady Bayne ventured out of the comfort of the Gunpowder watershed, down 695 all the way to Gywnn Falls where he meet Barbara Johnson, John Marra, and Ella Jacobs of Blue Water Baltimore to take part in one of their many volunteer events they host. On this day they were hosting an outfall blitz screening along the Papermill Run found within the Gwynn Falls Watershed. Here community members and interested volunteers were invited to be scientists for the morning, suiting up in waders and carrying equipment to locate and sample outfalls found along the stream.
An outfall is a point where stormwater is discharged into a nearby body of water. While walking through the stream we were scanning the bank looking for pipes that act as final outlets for stormwater discharge from the surrounding areas. Although outfalls are a common method of erosion control, concern comes from the historic network of pipes found underneath the ground in of the Baltimore Metro area. Pipes are used to transfer water everywhere throughout the city including drinking water, stormwater, and sewage water. During the construction of these complex pipe networks in the early 1900’s, one large trench was dug where stormwater and sewage pipes were placed right next to each other. Due to the proximity of these pipe systems contamination of stormwater runoff with sewage has become a concern to environmental advocates and residents alike. Small leaks within these historic pipes or large backups from improper waste disposal can form within the sewage system; the damaged pipes can lead to sewage entering the stormwater runoff network. Eventually the contaminated stormwater ends up at one of many outfalls that drains directly into local streams like the one shown below at Powdermill posing threats to human health and water quality.
As we entered the stream, our search for sewage containing outfalls began. Slowly moving our way upstream, we came across our first outfall which was a bright green PVC pipe with a small trickle of water being discharged into the stream below. Water samples were taken, with volunteer help, for ammonia which is an indicator of sewage contamination as it is a product of the breakdown of organic nitrogen found in human waste. A fluorometer was used to test for optical brighteners which indicates the presence of detergents and soaps. Just as the group was about to turn back we had a noticed a large concrete cylinder protruding from the ground. This was a sewer stack used to access the sewage pipe below through a manhole cover on the top. However, the manhole cover was no longer secured tightly to the stack. This suggest that during a storm event, there was to much water within the pipe causing the water to take the path of least resistance and exit through the manhole cover likely spilling sewage into the nearby stream. When looking in the sewage stack remnant toilet paper was stuck to the side along with a foul sewage stench to no one’s surprise.
The Gunpowder watershed provides drinking water to over 1.6 million people within the Baltimore Metro Area. Although we are divided by watershed boundaries, the interconnectivity of the work we do and its importance continues to ring true. Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® hopes to hold similar events in the future to provide incredible learning opportunities about the importance of water quality and the work that is required to ensure the safety of recreational and drinking water.
Huge thanks to Blue Water Baltimore for hosting such an awesome volunteer event and for letting Brady tag along and learn more about the work of other Waterkeeper groups throughout the state. If you would like to learn more about outfalls, the history of Baltimore sewer systems, and other water quality related topics, please be sure to check out Blue Water Baltimore for more information and more volunteer opportunities such as this one.