Notice of Untreated Sewage Discharge
Hillsborough utility crews repaired a leaking sewer main, conducted clean-up efforts and reported the incident to the state
Updated at 4:13 p.m. on April 12, 2023: Testing Wednesday afternoon of nearby surface waters indicated that ammonia levels had returned to compliance with state regulations.
As a result of a leaking 2-inch sewer main at the pump station located on Shelton Court, an estimated 5,000 gallons of untreated sewage was discharged Monday, April 10, 2023, north of U.S. 70 between Shelton Court and Crawford Road.
The Hillsborough Utilities Department estimates approximately 2,000 gallons of untreated sewage reached surface waters. The town continues to test surface waters near the pumping station and report results to the state.
The leak was reported to the Utilities Department around 2 p.m. Monday. By 2:30 p.m., utility workers had turned off the pump station. The force main was repaired by 6 p.m., and the Raleigh Regional Office of the North Carolina Division of Water Resources was notified of the spill. The state is reviewing the incident. 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.
Utilities crews worked to clean up the spillage and placed lime in some areas to disinfect the soil. The owner of a nearby private pond has been notified. People are advised to avoid the creek in the area.
Help Prevent Sewage Overflows
The public is reminded to help prevent sewage overflows by not flushing sanitary products, wipes, grease or other trash. For more information, see the attached fact sheets 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 email.
Related documents
Proper Disposal of Fats, Oil and Grease (English and Spanish)
