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Broken line sends millions of gallons of sewage into river

By The Associated Press

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) — Environmental officials say millions of gallons of sewage have flowed into the Patapsco River after a line broke during flooding in Ellicott City.

[related_gallery align=”right”]Jay Apperson is a spokesman for the Department of the Environment. He tells The Baltimore Sun (http://bsun.md/2aul3pE ) that about 5 million gallons per day of sewage have poured into the Sucker Branch tributary of the Patapsco.

Apperson says the break came in Ellicott City when the town took on 6.5 inches of water within hours Saturday night. The broken line was not discovered until Tuesday.

Officials say repairs are difficult because the road is washed out. On Wednesday, the Maryland National Guard airlifted equipment to the site.

Anne Arundel County issued a warning against direct contact with the Patapsco from Howard County to Baltimore.

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Information from: The Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com

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