Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) crews responded to a residential sewer backup report that occurred on July 17, 2018, in the area of Shirley Road Park. When crews arrived on site at 8:13 am, they discovered sewer overflowing from several utility manholes along the Burnt Mill Creek Sewer Outfall. Upon investigation, it was determined that sewer was overflowing from four locations along the outfall. Pump and haul operations were conducted using four vactor trucks and all sanitary sewer overflows were stopped by 9:22 am.
This spill was due to a power failure that caused a main circuit breaker to trip at Smith Creek Pump Station (PS # 10) during the night.
CFPUA estimates that 72,000 gallons reached Burnt Mill Creek. This area has been cleaned and the spill was reported to N.C. Division of Water Quality. Upstream and downstream sampling of Burnt Mill Creek is currently underway.
This news release is issued on July 17, 2018, in compliance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1C (a portion of the Clean Water Act of 1999). For further information, contact the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority at 910-332-6704.