Officials with the N.C. Division of Water Resources announced today that the location of a failed pipe segment that caused a June 13 wastewater spill in Durham County has been identified and repaired. The repair was completed Wednesday.
An estimated 1.1 million gallons of untreated wastewater was discharged into a tributary of Stirrup Iron Creek. The tributary does not house a drinking water intake and is not classified as a drinking water supply.
As required by law, Durham County officials reported the sewage release to state officials on June 14. The sewer spill was discovered by Durham County after odor complaints in a neighborhood near Cedar Grove and Alexis Court. While investigating, staff with the county utility discovered a ruptured pipe along the sewage line. The age of the sewer line was estimated at about 50 years old. While repairs were underway, a pump-around system was installed. This installation allowed the wastewater in the sewer line to be rerouted to another manhole for transport and treatment at the wastewater plant. The failed pipe segment has since been replaced.
The county will continue to sample the stream at multiple locations and analyze for ammonia and fecal coliform until the stream is clear. Staff with the Division of Water Resources are monitoring the cleanup.
###