It was part of an electrical malfunction.
Frederick, Md (KM) An estimated 250,000 gallons of untreated wastewater from a Frederick city treatment plant entered Carroll Creek on Wednesday afternoon.
Officials say at around 2:30 PM, a power surge damaged the plant’s electrical system, and the generators were considered not safe to operate. The facility continued to take in wastewater, but between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, the plant could not hold any more wastewater, and it began to discharge it through a manhole near the plant’s entrance.
At 5:45 PM, the plant’s generators were deemed safe to operate, and the discharge of the untreated wastewater stopped by 6:00 PM..
Signs were posted along the Creek, notifying citizens of possible contamination. Lime was placed in the area to neutralize the affects of the wastewater on the ground.
The Frederick County Health Department and the Maryland Department of the Environment were notified of the spill into Carroll Creek.
By Kevin McManus