Updated July 22  — With calculations of overflows along multiple manholes and at the River Pumping Station. 

As a result of flooding from heavy rainfall, several sanitary sewage overflows occurred throughout town starting July 7, 2025. 

An unpredicted volume of rainfall — over 8.5 inches as measured at the town’s wastewater treatment plant — fell intensely over a short period of time July 6 into July 7, causing flooding and overwhelming an old sanitary sewer system. Known sanitary sewer overflows occurred in the Neuse River Basin at the following locations:

• Multiple manholes along Riverwalk greenway and in Gold Park, 415 Dimmocks Mill Road and eastward along the greenway towards Elizabeth Brady Road — Inundated by the Eno River around 3:15 a.m. on July 7, the overflows continued through 2:30 p.m. on July 11. Approximately 90% of the estimated sewage flowed into the Eno River. Estimated discharge volume is 6,837,500 gallons.
• Elizabeth Brady Pumping Station, 318 Elizabeth Brady Road — Flooded by creek water, the station discharged approximately 174,000 gallons into Cates Creek. The overflow started at approximately 3 a.m. on July 7 and ceased at approximately 1 p.m. on July 7.
• River Pumping Station, 355 Elizabeth Brady Road —The open raw sewage wet well was inundated by river water and washed into the Eno River. The station lost power at 4:15 a.m. on July 7, and standby power would not have kept the station operational. Water receded quickly below the wet well walls by 7:30 a.m. on July 7, and there was no continued discharge from the station. The estimated volume of discharge is 35,000 gallons. 
• Aerial sewer pipe crossing in Churton Grove over Strouds Creek, near Berryman Boulevard — The pipe was washed away by flooded creek waters. The estimated sewer discharge started at 7 a.m. on July 7 and ceased at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 7 when bypass pumping was set up. Approximately 14,000 gallons is estimated to have been discharged into the creek. A contractor is working on pipe replacement.

As of Monday afternoon, the waterways were receding. Utilities crews have continued to move throughout the system to assess and repair discovered damages. The Raleigh Regional Office of the North Carolina Division of Environmental Quality was verbally notified of the sanitary sewer overflows Monday morning following evaluations of known problem. A written report will be sent within five days.

N.C. General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works issue a news release in the affected county when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters. When the volume is over 15,000 gallons, a public notice, approved by the state must be issued within 10 days in the impacted counties, including downstream, as determined by the state.

Help Prevent Sewage Overflows and Conserve Water 

Although this sanitary sewer overflow occurred due to flooding, the public can help prevent many sewage overflows during dry periods by not flushing sanitary products, wipes, grease or other trash. For more information, see the town’s About Wastewater page and the No Wipes in the Pipes and Hillsborough Fats, Oils and Grease Program videos on the town’s YouTube channel. 

For more information about the sewage overflow, contact Utilities Director Marie Strandwitz by phone at 919-296-9631 or by using the utilities contact form.