On Wednesday evening, Oct. 24, a resident informed Carroll County Bureau of Utilities (BOU) of a wastewater spill in the open space behind Robert’s Field Shopping Center in Hampstead.

BOU personnel arrived at the site, opened the sewer lines which stopped any further spills and re-established normal flows by 7:30 p.m. according to a county news release.

During the investigation, large quantities of solidified grease were discovered in several of the manholes and pipes associated with the shopping center.  It appears the flow had been continuous over several months prior to Oct. 24.  An undetermined amount of the spill flowed into a stormwater ditch emptying into a stormwater retention pond that flows into a tributary of Piney Run Creek according to the news release.

The county will be issuing a notice of violation to the owner of the shopping center who is responsible for the spill.

Swimming, other water contact activities and fishing should be avoided in the stream and creek. Call Environmental Health, Carroll County Health Department (410) 876-1884 or the Carroll County Bureau of Utilities (410) 386-2164 for further information.