Notification of Discharge of Untreated Sewage

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May 27, 2003

House Bill 1160, which the General Assembly enacted in July 1999, requires that municipalities, animal operations, industries and others who operate waste handling systems issue news releases when a spill of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.
In accordance with that regulation, the following news release has been prepared and issued to media in Cumberland County.

On Monday, May 26, 2003 the Public Works Commission of the City of Fayetteville had wastewater discharges from manholes along Rockfish Creek. The spills were the result of surcharging of a 54-inch sanitary sewer interceptor caused by flooding conditions from the breeching of the Hope Mills Lake Dam.

An overflow of 650,000 gallons occurred behind 4990 Doc Bennett Road, approximately 3500 feet upstream of Hwy 87. A second overflow of 4,800 gallons occurred behind 4551 Pennystone Drive. Both overflows lasted approximately 8 hours and spilled diluted wastewater into the Rockfish Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin.

Appropriate measures were then taken by PWC to clean and treat the affected area.
The Division of Water Quality was notified of the event.

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