Baltimore Reduces Inner Harbor Litter with Waterwheel Device

Debris is funneled into cabin, dropped into a trash bin

Morgantown Dominion Post
20 September 2009
By Alex Lang



This waterwheel device is used in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor - web photo

In Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, one company uses 19th-century technology to help remove some of the litter from the water.

A waterwheel device was placed in the harbor and transformed the water from trashinfested harbor to tourist hot-spot.

Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore Executive Director Laurie Schwartz said it wasn’t difficult to notice the decrease in litter once the waterwheel was in place. The partnership consists of business and governmental leaders trying to make a clean and safe waterfront, she said.

“I can say without hesitation there was a huge difference when the waterwheel was installed,” Schwartz said.

The waterwheel works like those that can be seen at old mills. Debris is funneled into a small wooden building, which resembles a cabin. The wheel then scoops up the debris and drops it into a Dumpster.

John Kellett, president of Clearwater Mills LLC, designed the waterwheel. His company is in Baltimore, and he said he came up with the idea after seeing all the trash flow down the Jones River into the harbor.

The structure also has solar panels and a wind generator so it can be powered if the water current is not strong enough to turn the wheel. A timer can keep the device operating throughout the day.

With the help of the wheel, Schwartz said the harbor is much more visually appealing without all the trash. Kellett agreed saying everybody who works around the harbor noticed the difference.

The waterwheel has been moved to a different location because it wasn’t large enough for the amount of litter in the harbor, Schwartz said. The partnership has been working with the city to get a new, larger waterwheel into the harbor.

As for putting in a waterwheel along the Monongahela River, Kellett said he couldn’t say for sure if the waterwheel system would work to solve the litter problem behind the Morgantown Lock & Dam.

“I think it is possible,” Kellett said.

The biggest holdup is making sure water is flowing fast enough to power the waterwheel.