Contaminated Ohio Train Derailment Water Not to be Processed in Baltimore Without Approval

By WBAL
Posted on 03/28/23 | News Source: WBAL

In a change of events, it looks as if the contaminated water from the recent Ohio train derailment won't be treated through the Baltimore Clean Harbors plant.

Charles Heart, general manager of Clean Harbors, told 11 News Tuesday morning that the company will not take the water from the Ohio train derailment site without approval from officials.

Multiple Baltimore City and County officials have expressed their thoughts on the possible treatment in Maryland's system, calling it a potential environmental hazard.

Baltimore County Executive, Johnny Olszewski, issued the following statement:

“The health and safety of Baltimore County residents and our waterways remains a top priority, which was why we supported efforts to prevent the discharge of treated materials into our shared sewer system and are encouraged that Clean Harbors has announced plans to identify alternative solutions to process this wastewater.

"Our thoughts remain with the people East Palestine, Ohio, who continue to feel the impacts of this incredible tragedy. We believe that this and other recent incidents at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant reinforce the importance of our ongoing efforts to modernize the Baltimore region’s water and wastewater utilities.”

On Friday, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the city received a letter the night before from contractor Clean Harbors, stating that the company is one of many sites across the country selected to accept, treat and discharge the wastewater collected from rainwater at the derailment site. 

On Monday, Scott again issued a statement regarding his disapproval of the contaminated water being cleaned through the Baltimore plant for a variety of reasons and said the Department of Public Works could impact the decision to deny intake of the water. 

"Last Friday, I publicly expressed grave concerns with environmental and industrial remediation contractor, Clean Harbors' request to dispose of pretreated wastewater from the Norfolk Southern railroad derailment into the Baltimore City wastewater collection system.

"After legal review, the city's Law Department has determined that the Department of Public Works has the authority to modify discharge permits in an effort to 'safeguard Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) from interference, pass-through or contamination of treatment by-products.' As such, I have directed DPW to modify Clean Harbor's discharge permit to deny their request to discharge processed wastewater from the cleanup of the Norfolk Southern railroad derailment into the city's wastewater system after processing at a Clean Harbors facility. Clean Harbors has facilities across the country that may be better positioned to dispose of the treated wastewater, and we urge them to explore those alternatives."