Public Works Commission

June 16, 2006

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 Wednesday, June 14, 2006, the Public Works Commission of the City of Fayetteville had a wastewater discharge from a manhole along Rockfish Creek. The spill was the result of excessive rainfall from tropical depression Alberto.

An overflow of 144,000 gallons occurred behind 4990 Doc Bennett Road, approximately 3500 feet upstream of Hwy 87. The overflow started at 5:00 pm and lasted approximately 30 minutes, spilling the diluted wastewater into the Rockfish Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin.

PWC was able to stop the spill by increasing its pumping rate at the Rockfish Creek Water Reclamation Facility. Appropriate measures were then taken by PWC to clean and treat the affected area. The Division of Water Quality was notified of the event.