Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) crews investigated several sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) along Burnt Mill Creek on Tuesday, July 31. CFPUA determined that the following sanitary sewer overflows were due to ongoing heavy rainfall and already saturated ground conditions which overloaded the sewer system beyond capacity. Sanitary sewer overflow locations and estimated quantities are:
- Grady Avenue: Crews discovered the SSO at 9:40 am. Operations began immediately. 2100 gallons were released during pump and haul operations while switching trucks.
- 21st Street: The SSO started at 11:00 am and ended at 2:00 pm. Spill volume was estimated to be 900 gallons.
- Klein Road: The SSO started at 12:25 pm and stopped at 2:00 pm. Spill volume was estimated to be 475 gallons.
- 21st and Chestnut Street: The spill began at 12:25 pm. It was stopped at 4:30 pm. Spill volume was estimated to be 1225 gallons.
- Wallace Park Sand Box: The spill started at 11:30 am. It ended at 4:30 pm. Spill volume was estimated to be 1500 gallons.
There was an additional spill at 1100 block of Market Street due to a blockage in the main sewer line. This spill started at 10:35 am. Crews stopped the SSO at 2:20 pm. Crews were able to conduct pump and haul operations while the blockage was being removed. The total spill volume at this location is estimated to be 4,500 gallons. Crews were also able to minimize the spill by capturing 3000 gallons and re-entering it back into the sewer system reducing the volume entering the receiving stream to in 1500 gallons.
In total, CFPUA estimates that 7,700 gallons were discharged to Burnt Mill Creek. Sampling was conducted in the area last night and results will be submitted to NCDEQ as they are available. This area has been cleaned, and the spill was reported to NC Division of Water Quality.
This news release is issued on August 1, 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.