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Baltimore's sewage processing costs have escalated to $5.6 million monthly after Synagro Technologies ceased operations at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant due to hydrocarbon contamination concerns. This increase from the typical $3 million monthly cost has stressed the city's sewage management budget and contributed to a downgrade of its wastewater debt.

City officials are working with Synagro to resume processing, aiming to restore 30% of the digestion process next month. Previous incidents, including an explosion in March 2023, have raised scrutiny over sludge processing and potential environmental impacts from 'forever chemicals.' The city may need to raise water rates to cover these costs.