Heavy rains cause spill
By Staff Reports
Published in News on January 2, 2016 11:47 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Heavy rains over the past several days is being blamed for an approximately 100,000 gallon sewer spill.
The spill started at approximately 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31.
The spill was a result of 2.11 inches of rainfall which fell in a 24-hour period following one of the wettest Decembers on record in eastern North Carolina leaving the ground saturated and incapable of absorbing additional moisture, town officials said.
The town continues to work to solve issues with inflow and infiltration into its sewer collection system as well as land application issues at it wastewater treatment plant and has funding approved to take corrective measures at the waste water treatment plant, the officials said.
State requires municipalities to release information to the public when a sanitary sewer overflow of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.
The state Division of Water Quality was notified of the spill at 2 p.m. Dec. 31.