Nearly 82,000 Gallons Of Untreated Wastewater Spill
SMITHFIELD – Johnston County officials reported that approximately 81,900 gallons of untreated wastewater were discharged into wetlands connected to a tributary of the Neuse River following an equipment failure.
According to Johnston County Public Utilities, the discharge occurred between Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 in the 2700 block of S. Brightleaf Boulevard. Officials said the spill resulted from an electrical fault that shut down pumps and control systems within the wastewater collection system.
County utilities staff have since restored pump operations and are working to clean up the affected area.
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources was notified of the incident on Feb. 6 and is reviewing the matter.
Residents seeking more information can contact Johnston County Public Utilities at 919-989-5075.
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TO MUCH GROWTH COMMON SENSE
This isn’t the first time this has happened. Has nothing to do with growth. Nice Try!
Johnston County officials reported a spill of 46,750 gallons of untreated wastewater on Friday.
Posted 5:53 p.m. Sep 7, 2019 – Updated 5:53 p.m. Sep 7, 2019
Mechanical Failure Blamed For Sewage Spill
February 17, 2025News, Smithfield1 Comment
SMITHFIELD – Johnston County Public Utilities reported a large untreated wastewater spill near Smithfield.
The Johnston County wastewater collection system had a discharge of untreated wastewater from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 in the 2300 block of Swift Creek Road near US 70.
Posted: Apr 17, 2017 / 11:53 AM EDT
Updated: Apr 17, 2017 / 11:53 AM EDT
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SMITHFIELD, N.C. (WNCN) – Crews completed repair work on sewage lines in Smithfield Monday after about 250,000 gallons of untreated waste spilled Sunday.
Facts indicate there was an electrical issue, which resulted in equipment failure. Nowhere did the article state the wastewater treatment facility was over capacity. Blame growth all you want, but I doubt you only take one bath a month, always relieve yourself in the woods, or even wash your dirty clothes in the local pond.
I’m taking a 💩 in Smithfield reading this
Stop the GROWTH ! JOHNSTON COUNTY IS RUIN FROM ALL THIS GROWTH. Common sense is gone
You’re a clown!
No focus on infrastructure commissioners…Keep raising taxes…Add more warehouses…
Wow — again?
It seems we’ve hit a kind of annual tradition where hundreds of thousands of gallons of untreated wastewater are released into wetlands and tributaries that feed the Neuse River.
From massive spills in 2023 (over half a million gallons, not once but twice) to 251,000 gallons in early 2025, and now nearly 82,000 gallons in February 2026, one has to marvel at the consistency.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature is the only one who gets to enjoy that consistency — residents get to deal with the stench, the contamination risk, and the depressing realization that infrastructure “fixes” apparently mean “spill again later.” If this is the benchmark for responsible stewardship of our public utilities and natural resources, you’re setting a new kind of standard of underachievement.
We deserve better planning, resilient equipment, real accountability, and honest timelines for preventing the next inevitable spill.
Please treat this infrastructure — and the Neuse River watershed — like something more precious than an optional expense line item.
Is this the same system that was awarded “Gold Srar” status (https://www.johnstonnc.gov/content.cfm?id=1883)? Sounds like a typical Liberal participation trophy. #VoteOutIncumbents
Hummmm what does an award for quality drinking water have to do with a sewage spill? Two totally different operations. AGAIN TTT you have your panties in a wad. The issue here is that local infrastructure is being ignored while the good old boys network is making money off your tax dollars.
Yep! you are right.
If private industry did this, the government would be all over it, labeling the “spiller” irresponsible and careless, and issuing them big fines.
Since the spiller IS the government, the response is ” meh “….
Such is the duplicity of .gov