Heavy Rain Sends 3,000 Gallons Of Untreated Wastewater Into Little Creek

CLAYTON, N.C. — Heavy rainfall Sunday night caused a sanitary sewer overflow at a Town of Clayton wastewater facility, sending an estimated 3,000 gallons of untreated wastewater into Little Creek, according to town officials.

The overflow occurred on Durham Street, where wastewater enters the influent pump station at the Little Creek Reclamation Facility.

The Town of Clayton reported that about 5,000 gallons of untreated wastewater overflowed onto the ground, with an estimated 3,000 gallons entering a stormwater pipe that discharges directly into Little Creek.

Town officials attributed the overflow to an intense rain event. According to the National Weather Service, approximately 2.17 inches of rain fell between 9:55 p.m. and 10:55 p.m. on July 12. A rain gauge at the Little Creek Reclamation Facility recorded 4 inches of rainfall during the same one-hour period.

Under North Carolina law, public utilities must notify the public whenever an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.

The N.C. Division of Water Resources was notified of the incident on July 13 and is reviewing the matter.