Baltimore DPW asks customers to report water main breaks and underground leaks to 311 promptly. Customers with documented private-side leaks may apply for billing adjustments. The EPA consent decree with DPW emphasizes leak detection across the aging system serving Back River and Patapsco WWTPs.
DPW's Bureau of Water operates a 311-based leak reporting system for both public main breaks and customer-side concerns. Public-side breaks are repaired by DPW crews; private-side leaks remain the property owner's responsibility but may qualify for a one-time bill adjustment if repaired promptly with documentation. Baltimore's water system serves over 1.8 million people across the city and surrounding counties via the Back River and Patapsco wastewater treatment plants and multiple reservoirs. The federal EPA consent decree drives ongoing investment in leak detection, meter accuracy, and stormwater-sewer separation across the aging infrastructure.
Failure to repair a known private-side leak after notification can lead to estimated billing without credit and ultimately water service shutoff after standard delinquency procedures under Art. 24.
Baltimore, MD
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Baltimore, MD
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See how Baltimore's leak reporting duty rules stack up against other locations.
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