Smithfield Traces Discolored Creek Water To Construction Site

SMITHFIELD – Town crews investigating discolored water in a creek flowing toward the Neuse River traced the source to a construction site along Buffalo Road.

The Town of Smithfield said Water and Sewer crews responded after staff became aware around 5:30 p.m. Thursday of a social media post showing discoloration in a creek near the Second Street boat ramp.

Crews followed the discolored water upstream and identified a construction site along Buffalo Road as the location where it was originating.

The Town said the issue is not related to Smithfield’s sewer system, and investigators found no connection between the discoloration and the municipal sewer system.

What caused the discoloration, however, remains undetermined.

“The information available at this time does not establish the material responsible for the discoloration or its potential environmental impact,” the Town said Friday afternoon in a news release.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is aware of the situation.

According to the Town, a similar concern involving the area was reported to NCDEQ approximately two weeks earlier.

Town officials said crews were able to identify where the discolored water was entering the drainage system, but additional information is needed to determine what the material is and whether it poses an environmental concern.

The creek flows into the Neuse River near the Second Street boat ramp.

The Town said it will provide additional information as it becomes available.