Laurel Wastewater Overflow
Into the Broad Creek

On November 13th Laurel’s Wastewater Treatment Plant experienced an overflow from its third and final treatment lagoon into Broad Creek, which drains into the Nanticoke and eventually the Chesapeake Bay.  The problem was attributed to a three inch rainfall and an unexplained surge in the flows to the plant.

The Town of Laurel took immediate action after the problem was discovered by attempting to reinforce the lagoon berm and dam the flow.  To prevent damage or complete failure to the lagoon, which would have resulted in all 13 million gallons of wastewater being discharged into the river at once, DNREC authorized the plant to bypass the final filtration for Lagoon 3 and allow partially-treated wastewater to mix with treated effluent before being discharged into Broad Creek.   Chlorine treatment was increased for to help with disinfection and to maintain adequate chlorine residual.

An estimated total of 15 million gallons were discharged between November 13th and 17th.

Leaks in the influent sewer line would account for the increased flows to the plant.  The town was setting up an influent-bypass pumping operation in preparation for repairing the problem.

The Wastewater Facilities Advisory Council approved a $1.5 million Century Fund grant to the Town of Laurel in October for enhanced nutrient removal at the plant, which would achieve the Chesapeake Bay nutrient discharge target goals for nitrogen.  This was the first time a community has been proactive in working with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to increase the level of wastewater treatment beyond what was required by their permit.