Baltimore DPW Expands Safety Measures and Contracting for Waste Management Services

Baltimore City Council's Board of Estimates meeting on July 2, 2025, highlighted significant advancements in waste management and worker safety, marking a pivotal moment for the Department of Public Works (DPW). The council approved a new contract with Denali, a vendor that promises enhanced efficiency and increased participation from minority and women-owned businesses, raising the current MBE/WBE goals from 8.7% to a projected 15%.

This contract is crucial as the city prepares for future regulatory changes and aims to improve the processing of biosolids. The DPW is currently piloting new technologies at the Back River facility, which will help scale operations to meet the city's waste management needs. The interim contract with Denali is seen as a necessary step while the city transitions to more advanced waste processing technologies.

Safety for workers remains a top priority for the council, especially in light of past tragedies, including the death of a worker in 2019. The DPW has taken proactive measures to enhance safety protocols, including the establishment of a dedicated safety team and the hiring of an industrial hygienist to oversee safety standards across all facilities. The department is committed to ensuring that all workers, whether in sanitation or wastewater treatment, operate in safe and healthy environments.

Council members expressed their ongoing concern for worker safety and the need for continued improvements. They emphasized the importance of investing in training for the next generation of skilled workers to reduce reliance on contractors and bring more operations in-house. The DPW is actively exploring ways to develop internal capabilities for specialized waste management tasks, which will not only enhance safety but also create job opportunities for Baltimore residents.

As the city moves forward, the council remains focused on ensuring that the health and safety of its workers are prioritized, while also striving for greater efficiency and sustainability in waste management practices. The decisions made in this meeting are expected to have lasting impacts on both the community and the environment.