Updated Joint Statement on the Treatment and Discharge of East Palestine Wastewater

Crest of the City of Baltimore

Brandon M. Scott
Mayor,
Baltimore City
250 City Hall - Baltimore Maryland 21202
(410) 396-3835 - Fax: (410) 576-9425

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

BALTIMORE, MD. (Saturday, March 25, 2023) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott issued the following statement regarding East Palestine Wastewater.

"The Baltimore City Department of Public Works was notified by Clean Harbors Environmental Services that the company has contracted with Norfolk Southern Railroad to accept, treat, and discharge the wastewater collected from rainwater, collected water, and stream water above and below the cleanup site of the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, OH that occurred on February 3, 2023. The facility is one of a number of facilities in locations around the country selected to process this material.

Both the City and the County teams have been in touch with the Governor's office as well as with the EPA. State and federal officials have assured us they are confident in the facility's ability to process this material. However, we have tasked our teams to do their due diligence to be certain that there is no risk to the health and safety or our residents and our environment. Additionally, we are seeking a legal opinion from the Attorney General's Office regarding the City's requirement to discharge the waste from the Norfolk Southern Railroad derailment.

We continue to learn more information and will share more information as updates become available."

Related Stories

Mayor Releases Recap of 2025 "Outside in '25" Summer Youth Engagement Strategy

Mayor Brandon M. Scott released data highlighting the outcomes of the Mayor's Office's BMore this Summer: Outside in '25 summer youth engagement strategy.

 

Mayor Brandon M. Scott Swears In City Officials

Mayor Brandon M. Scott swore in new agency leaders for the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) and the Department of Public Works (DPW), key bureau heads for DPW, and members of multiple city boards.

 

Mayor Brandon M. Scott Announces Annual Fall Clean-Up Day

Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW), and the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) are calling on residents, community associations, and volunteer groups to register now for the Mayor's Fall Clean-Up and Day of Service on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 8 a.m.