Cape Fear Public Utility Authority crews have stopped a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) that occurred after a main break Monday at the Barnards Creek Pump Station at 4223 River Road.
At 1:58 p.m. Monday, CFPUA was notified that an outside contractor working for Duke Energy struck a sewer force main while installing a utility pole. Crews determined that some amount of wastewater was discharged into Barnards Creek, a tributary of the Cape Fear River.
At 5:34 p.m., crews successfully stopped the wastewater discharge and isolated the damaged force main. The wastewater flow was diverted to a different force main. The pump stations that use these mains are operating effectively and will continue to be monitored.
CFPUA staff are working to determine the volume of the SSO. Staff has begun water sampling at the site to monitor water quality.
Drivers in the area are asked to stay alert and watch out for crews working along River Road.