CFPUA Sanitary Sewer Overflow: Burnett Boulevard and Front Street
“Mop head” clog of discarded wipes, dental floss and other toilet-flushed trash causes overflow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike McGill
(910) 332-6704
After Hours: (910) 622-8472
mike.mcgill@cfpua.org
communications@cfpua.org
This news release was issued on November 22, 2014, in compliance with North Carolina General Statute 143-251.1C (a portion of the Clean Water Act of 1999). For further information, contact Mike McGill, Chief Communications Officer for the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) at the contact numbers and emails given above.
Wilmington, NC (November 22, 2014): Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) crews responded to, and stopped, a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) that occurred Friday evening at approximately 7:15 p.m. near the intersection of Burnett Boulevard and Front Street. A “mop head” clog, which forms when wipes combine with other toilet-flushed trash like dental floss, caused a blockage in a 10-inch main, resulting in the overflow. The overflow was stopped at 10:07 p.m.
Despite crews quickly arriving on scene, approximately 8,600 gallons of wastewater reached a storm drain tributary to a ditch that follows into the Cape Fear River. CFPUA Environmental Management staff members is conducting water quality testing at various locations at and around the site. Initial results are expected within the next 24 hours. This incident is under further investigation by CFPUA and has been reported to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality.
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Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) was formed by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County to combine their water and sewer operations. It began operations on July 1, 2008. Today, the Authority serves more than 67,000 water customer accounts and more than 65,000 wastewater customer accounts. It oversees more than 1,000 miles of water distribution mains and nearly 1,000 miles of sewer mains. For more information, visit www.cfpua.org or contact CFPUA’s Communications staff at communications@cfpua.org.