The heavy rains of recent days have caused considerable problems in Baltimore's overtaxed sewage system. Department of Public Works spokesman Kurt Kocher said four "sanitary overflows" occurred Thursday - in the 400 and 1800 blocks of E. Eager St., the 1700 block of E. Chase St. and the 1700 block of Falls Road. They were reported about 6 a.m. and stopped less than five hours later, he said. The combined spillage was estimated at more than 42,000 gallons. Much of it drained away, and the rest was cleaned up by city crews. Kocher said that the contents of sewage pipes are generally a "well-diluted" mix of household effluents from kitchens, washing machines and bathrooms.

- Nick Madigan