Baltimore covers basement disinfection costs after sewage backups

Homeowners and renters in Baltimore no longer have to pay out of pocket to disinfect basements flooded by city sewer lines. The city expanded its Sewage Onsite Support program to cover professional cleaning and disinfection services at no cost to residents.

Previously, the assistance was limited to emergencies caused by heavy rainstorms. Under the new rules, residents can request help for sewage backups that occur during dry weather. This change addresses failures in the municipal network regardless of the weather conditions.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Department of Public Works announced the expansion on Wednesday. They developed the update in partnership with the Maryland Department of the Environment. The program now guarantees free professional service for residential basements affected by raw sewage overflows.

Residents affected by the city sewer system can call the 311 hotline to request specialized aid. Officials stated that rapid disinfection is necessary to prevent the spread of pathogens. They emphasized the need to protect the health of families in vulnerable communities from the microbiological risks of stagnant sewage.

The measure eliminates the financial barrier for residents seeking to remediate their living spaces. By extending the program beyond storm events, the city aims to mitigate epidemiological risks in homes affected by infrastructure failures. The service remains available to both arrendatarios and propietarios throughout the year.