You may have seen that Baltimore County Department of Public Works is planning to repair the sewer line which runs through the Minebank Run, as well as add a secondary sewer line to help with the growth of Towson’s population.
Cromwell Valley Park Council would like to share a community announcement. For the safety of your family and pets, it is advised to stay out of the Minebank Run stream for 24-48 hours after a heavy rain event.
Minebank Run is directly affected by runoff from the surrounding Towson area following large rainfalls. This runoff can carry a variety of pollutants, including:
- Lawn chemicals
- Roadway pollution and chemicals
- Potentially sewage, as sewer lines run adjacent to and through the stream. In fact, previous reports have highlighted sewage overflows in streams in the Baltimore area after heavy rains.
These pollutants can negatively impact the stream’s water quality and pose health risks to those who come into contact with the water.
For more information on water quality and data, you can consult various environmental sites:
- The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides water data for the nation: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/0158397967/ and https://waterdata.usgs.gov/state/maryland/ and https://dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov/app/nwd/en/
- The Water Quality Portal offers site data, including for a tributary of Minebank Run near Towson: https://www.waterqualitydata.us/provider/NWIS/USGS-MD/USGS-0158397940/ and https://www.waterqualitydata.us/provider/NWIS/USGS-MD/USGS-01583980/
- The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) How’s My Waterway tool provides information about the condition of local waters: https://mywaterway.epa.gov/ and Minebank Run https://mywaterway.epa.gov/community/minebank%20run/overview
- The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) provides information about Maryland’s waters, including the Minebank Run and Lower Gunpowder Falls watershed:
Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and avoid contact with stream water for a day or two after significant rainfall to ensure the health and safety of your loved ones and your furry companions.
