WILMINGTON—A CFPUA sewer overflow sent an estimated 72,000 gallons of wastewater into the Burnt Mill Creek today.
According to CFPUA, “crews responded to a residential sewer backup report that occurred on July 17, 2018, in the area of Shirley Road Park. When crews arrived on site at 8:13 am, they discovered sewer overflowing from several utility manholes along the Burnt Mill Creek Sewer Outfall. Upon investigation, it was determined that sewer was overflowing from four locations along the outfall. Pump and haul operations were conducted using four vactor trucks and all sanitary sewer overflows were stopped by 9:22 a.m.”
According to CFPUA, the spill was caused by a power failure that tripped a breaker at the Smith Creek Pump Station Monday night.
CFPUA officials said they have cleaned up the spill, reported it to the N.C. Division of Water Quality, and are conducting water quality testing.
“Upstream and downstream sampling of Burnt Mill Creek is currently underway,” CFPUA stated in a release.
The spill is considerable and may have ecological and health consequences. Last December, a spill of roughly the same magnitude dumped 75,000 gallons of wastewater into the Banks Channel, causing concern.
Dr. Mike Mallin, a UNCW research professor in the biology and marine biology department, said of the December spill, “75,000 gallons is a lot. Stay the heck out of the water there for sure. Even if you’re in a small boat and cruising through that area it’s going to splashing around and you can get it into your face or whatever — that might be a hazard.”
