FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          July 27, 2001

CARY, NC – A construction problem appears to be the cause of a sanitary sewage overflow early this morning near Raleigh Durham International Airport. A utility subcontractor--Tebarco Mechanical Corporation—was working with contractors on behalf of the Raleigh Durham Airport Authority to extend sewer services and failed to properly close sewer lines under construction before leaving the job site. The lines lay in a very low drainage area and allowed stormwater runoff from overnight rains to enter the Town of Cary’s sewer system. Area manholes and the RDU Center pump station located at 3100 RDU Center Drive were overwhelmed by the stormwater and began overflowing shortly before 5:00 AM. Town crews were able to stop the discharge around 8:00 AM.

The overflow, which was primarily stormwater, did reach a nearby, unnamed creek going to Lake Crabtree; no fish-kill has been observed. Preliminary estimates place the sewage overflow at about 1875 gallons, mixed with over 2 million gallons of stormwater. Fortunately, testing of stream water and overflow water in the area indicates that the discharge has had no impact on the stream or Lake Crabtree.

The Clean Water Act adopted this summer by the State Legislature requires a news release be issued by public works operators whenever a wastewater spill of 1,000 gallons or greater reaches surface waters. Paid advertisements are also necessary for sanitary sewage spills in excess of 14,999 gallons. This is the 6th sewage spill Cary has had this calendar year, and the first since May 18th.

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