General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters. In accordance with that regulation, the following news release has been prepared and issued to media in the affected counties: The Johnston County wastewater collection system had the following discharges of untreated wastewater caused by excessive rainfall amounts, extreme weather conditions and flooding associated with Hurricane Matthew: October 8, 2016 * Approximately 12,000 gallons in the vicinity of 2900 S Brightleaf Boulevard Smithfield was discharged into the Neuse River. * Approximately 6,000 gallons in the vicinity of 500 Josephine Road, Garner was discharged into Woods Branch, a tributary to Swift Creek. October 8 – 9, 2016 * Approximately 45,000 gallons in the vicinity of 683 Devil’s Racetrack Road, Four Oaks was discharged into an unnamed tributary to the Neuse River. * Approximately 18,000 gallons in the vicinity of 121 Commerce Parkway, Garner was discharged into an unnamed tributary to Swift Creek. * Approximately 21,600 gallons in the vicinity of 2862 US Hwy 70, Smithfield was discharged into an unnamed tributary to the Neuse River. * Approximately 63,000 gallons in the vicinity of 4600 NC Hwy 42, Garner was discharged into Spring Branch, a tributary to Swift Creek. * Approximately 45,000 gallons in the vicinity of 96 Hillsboro Road, Four Oaks was discharged into Meadow Branch a tributary to Black Creek. * Approximately 28,800 gallons in the vicinity of Danceart Drive, Garner was discharged into a tributary to Mill Branch. * Approximately 28,800 gallons in the vicinity of 40 Glenda Lane, Garner was discharged into Bear Branch. * Approximately 28,800 gallons in the vicinity of 10225 Cleveland Road, Clayton was discharged into a tributary to Bear Branch. October 8 – 11, 2016 * Approximately 8,760,000 gallons in the vicinity of 1457 W Noble Street, Selma was discharged into an unnamed tributary to the Neuse River. * Approximately 465,000 gallons in the vicinity of 400 Fawnbrook Drive, Four Oaks was discharged into a tributary to Holts Lake. October 9 – 11, 2016 * Approximately 11,070,000 gallons in the vicinity of 517 N Second Street, Smithfield was discharged into Buffalo Creek. October 9 – 13, 2016 * Approximately 30,468,000 gallons in the vicinity of 1000 E Huntley Street, Smithfield was discharged into the Neuse River. The Neuse River record level flooding in Smithfield from Hurricane Matthew caused the protection dikes of the Central Johnston County Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility located at 1000 E Huntley Street, Smithfield to be overtopped, thereby, flooding the facility. The discharge of untreated wastewater continues to occur. The County is diligently working to restore the treatment plant operation. The Division of Water Resources was notified of the events on October 8 -13, 2016 and is reviewing the matter. For more information, contact the Johnston County Public Utilities Department at (919) 989-5075.
That's over 50 MILLION gallons of waste water! That's enough water to cover 100 acres at 1.5 feet deep. That's a lot of waste water.
