Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles has ordered that the Maryland Environmental Service take control of the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore County after it experienced compliance issues.

“The department determined that the decline in the proper maintenance and operation of the plant risks catastrophic failures at the plant that may result in environmental harm as well as adverse public health … effects,” Grumbles said in the order, according to UPI News.

The Maryland Environmental Service also has been directed to submit a report by June 6 that assesses the plant’s operation, maintenance, staffing and equipment issues.

Semi Truck Leaks Large Amount of Diesel Into Madison Sewer

A semi truck with a punctured diesel tank recently leaked fuel into the sewer system in Madison, Wisconsin.

The truck had been parked on the street near a sewer drain, and the truck’s driver attempted to block the fuel from getting into the drain by using seat cushions. Ultimately, 150 to 170 gallons of fuel leaked into the sewer by the time first responders arrived on scene, according to WKOW News.

New Interim Director Named for Austin Water 

Austin (Texas) City Manager Spencer Cronk recently appointed Robert Goode as interim director of Austin Water. The appointment comes after Greg Meszaros resigned from the position six weeks ago.

Goode has previous experience directing transportation and infrastructure planning departments, and has 37 years of experience as an executive.

Meszaros resigned in February after the city experienced a boil water notice that lasted for a number of days which was due to an internal operations issue.