The use of de-icing fluids at the Baltimore/Washington International airport is a necessary part of flight operations during the winter months. If these fluids are not captured and properly disposed of they can be toxic to nearby streams and tributaries seriously affecting aquatic life. 

Efforts by the Maryland Aviation Administrations and the Maryland Environmental Service have significantly reduced the amount of de-icing material reaching these streams. 

More than 20 Service employees work at the airport to oversee the de-icing collection program and other projects involving storm water management and the airport's sanitary sewer and water distribution systems. 

The Service operates the airports de-icing fluid collection facilities as well as a central storage facility for storing and processing the collected fluid. It also coordinates a program using vacuum-sweeper trucks to collect de-icing fluid at the terminal gate areas, and collects stream samples during and after every de-icing event. 

The Service then ensures that the collected fluid is disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. 

The Service continues to help the airport meet the requirements of its discharge permit issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Additional de-icing fluid recovery systems are being designed or are under construction at the currently expanding airport.