DPW in Action: Water, Waste & Community Cleanups

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Baltimore’s Department of Public Works is busy improving city infrastructure and services this fall. From water main replacements and trash collection updates to hazardous waste drop-offs, a citywide cleanup, and public meetings on wastewater treatment, here’s what you need to know to stay informed and get involved.

DPW WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT UPDATE

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) continues water main replacement and roadway restoration work in multiple neighborhoods.

Fells Prospect (North): Water main replacement remains ongoing in the northern part of the Fells Prospect area, between Bank Street and Eastern Avenue (north/south) and Patterson Park Avenue to South Chester Street (east/west).

Upper Fells: All water main and service reconnection work has been completed between South Chester Street and South Wolfe Street (east/west) and from Gough Street to Eastern Avenue (north/south). Final roadway restoration has been completed on the 300–400 blocks of South Wolfe Street and the 400 block of South Chapel Street. Some sidewalk panel replacement work remains and will likely be completed in the coming weeks.

Fells Prospect (South): Crews will soon mobilize to the southern part of Fells Prospect, between Fleet Street (north) and Boston Street (south). Temporary water bypass networks will be installed in the coming weeks, followed by water main replacement work over the next several months. The objective is to complete as much installation and reconnection work as possible before mid- to late November, when temperatures begin to drop.

West Canton: The major impact in the West Canton neighborhood will be roadway base repair and final asphalt resurfacing over the coming weeks. Concrete base repair is already underway on several blocks. This work is a precursor to asphalt milling and overlay. Full roadway restoration is expected within the next month or two. Final resurfacing has been completed on the 800 block of South Port Street, and concrete alley restoration is underway in the Foster–Fait Alley. Residents are asked to cooperate with posted parking restrictions to allow crews and equipment access to the work zones.

Planned Water Shut Downs: Two scheduled overnight water shut downs will take place in the coming weeks:
• Eastern Avenue between South Montford Avenue and South Wolfe Street
• Boston Street between South Montford Avenue and Aliceanna Street

These shut downs are currently being scheduled and will each occur on a Thursday night into Friday morning to minimize business impacts. Eastern Avenue will be the first, followed by Boston Street. All affected residents and businesses will receive a minimum of 72 hours’ notice once dates are confirmed.

DPW thanks residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation as these critical infrastructure improvements continue.

MORE INFO and FAQ                                                                            

Construction Project Supervisor: Christopher Munroe Dr.
Email: Christopher.Munroe@Baltimorecity.gov
802-598-1155  / 410-845-0143
Publicworks.baltimorecity.gov                                                          
NOTE: Information courtesy of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works 9.12.25

DPW TRASH & RECYCLING COLLECTIONS

As the fall season begins, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will return to its standard 6:00 a.m. start time for curbside trash and recycling collections beginning Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The final day of the summer schedule, which began at 5:00 a.m. to protect sanitation crews during extreme heat, was Friday, September 26, 2025.

“We are grateful to our residents for their flexibility during the summer months,” said DPW Director Matthew Garbark. “By working together, we kept our crews safe and our neighborhoods clean. Now, as we transition to cooler months, we will return to the 6:00 a.m. start time to continue serving Baltimore communities.”

What Residents Need to Know:

  • Collection days are not changing.

  • Set out materials by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day (or the night before after 6:00 p.m.).

  • Expect early-morning truck activity starting at 6:00 a.m.

  • For questions, call 311 or visit the DPW Website.

HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF
Residents can safely dispose of hazardous household materials at the last drop-off of the year.

  • Dates: Friday & Saturday, October 3 & 4

  • Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  • Location: Sisson Street Residential Recycling Center, 2840 Sisson St., Baltimore, MD 21211

SHRED EVENT & GROW CENTER POP-UP

Protect your personal information while also learning about greening and recycling resources at the Shred Event & GROW Center Pop-Up

  • Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025

  • Time: 8:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m.

  • Location: Western High School- 4600 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209

MAYOR’S FALL CLEAN UP & DAY OF SERVICE

Mayor Brandon M. Scott, DPW, and the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) invite residents, volunteer groups, and community associations to take part in the annual citywide cleanup.

  • Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025

  • Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

How to Register:

  • Cleaning in your own community? Call 311 or register online at the 311 Website.

  • Volunteering at a mayoral location or quadrant? Register here.

  • Registration Deadline: October 17, 2025

WATER TREATMENT PLANT PUBLIC MEETINGS

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold two public meetings in October to update residents and stakeholders on Baltimore’s progress in meeting the requirements of its Consent Decree regarding operations at the City’s two wastewater treatment plants: the Back River and Patapsco facilities.

“These meetings are an important opportunity for residents and stakeholders to hear directly from DPW about how we are improving performance at our wastewater treatment plants and striving for compliance with regulatory commitments,” said DPW Director Matthew Garbark. “We encourage community participation and look forward to answering questions and receiving feedback.”

The Consent Decree, entered into by the City of Baltimore, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and Blue Water Baltimore, addresses past violations of discharge permits issued to the Back River and Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plants. Under the Consent Decree, the City must provide opportunities for public engagement and post quarterly reports online.

Meeting Dates and Locations:

  • Public Meeting I Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Middle Branch Fitness & Wellness Center, 201 Reedbird Ave, Baltimore, MD 21225

  • Public Meeting II Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, 8201 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224

Both meetings will also be streamed live on DPW’s Facebook and YouTube pages to ensure broad access for the public.

Registration and Additional Information

These meetings are free and open to the public. While same-day attendance is welcome, advance registration is encouraged.

Meeting Topics

During the meetings, DPW senior leaders will provide updates on the wastewater treatment plants, including:

  • Operational performance

  • Capital improvements and investments

  • Efforts to ensure a healthy environment

In addition, attendees can visit Learning Stations focused on:

  • Improving operational efficiency

  • Resource recovery

  • Strengthening Baltimore’s wastewater workforce (B’More Wise program)

  • Pretreatment initiatives

DPW welcomes residents and stakeholders to participate, ask questions, and share feedback as Baltimore continues to invest in its water and wastewater systems to protect public health and the environment.

For more information and to access quarterly Consent Decree reports, please visit the DPW website.