FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2009

CARY, NC – Excessive rains led to about 1,217 gallons of untreated waste escaping from the Town of Cary’s sanitary sewer system near the 1100 block of Buck Jones Road. The Town was alerted to the 35-minute spill by a system alarm, which activated around 11 p.m. on December 2. The waste reached Walnut Creek. No fish kill was observed.

“This part of our sewer system is currently under intense analysis, including smoke testing, so that we can ensure that severe weather impacts are minimized to the greatest extent possible,” said Town of Cary’s Chief of Utility Maintenance Sam Tingler.

The Clean Water Act requires public notice in the form of a news release issued by public works operators within 48 hours of the detection of a wastewater overflow of 1,000 gallons or greater that also reaches surface waters. Paid advertisements are also necessary for spills in excess of 14,999 gallons.

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