LA PLATA, Md. (Nov. 24, 2008)—The Charles County Department of Utilities reports that as a result of a pump station failure on Friday, November 21, 2008, the Route 5 Wastewater Pump Station, located on MD Rt. 5, south of St. Charles Parkway in Waldorf, discharged raw sewage in excess of 10,000 gallons into the adjacent stream, which is an unnamed tributary of Jorden Swamp.
According to the Department, the pumps at the station failed for an undetermined reason sometime in the afternoon on Thursday, November 20, 2008 and the overflow was discovered during a routine station visit during the morning of November 21. Although the Department believes that no environmental or health risks have resulted from this overflow, the public is advised to avoid all contact with water in the adjacent stream and the waters of Jorden Swamp for the next 7 days.
The cause of the pump failure is under investigation by the Department.