February 7, 2010

CARY, NC – Grease and debris led to a total of about 4,880 gallons of untreated waste escaping from the Town of Cary’s sanitary sewer system over the last two days in two separate spills; neither incident resulted in a fish kill.

The first spill occurred around 7 p.m. on February 5 when grease and debris blocked a sewer line near the 300 block of Webster Avenue and sent 2,491 gallons of waste into an unnamed tributary near Walnut Creek. Town crews cleared the blockage but were unable to flush the creek at the time of the overflow due to heavy rains and high creek flow.

The second incident occurred around noon on February 6 when debris in a sewer line near the 400 block of St. Andrews Lane caused 2,389 gallons of waste to overflow from a manhole; about 1,194 gallons reached an unnamed tributary of Mac Gregor Lake. Town crews flushed the affected area, and pumped the flushing water back into the collection system.

“We take every spill very seriously and devote significant resources toward keeping them from occurring,” said Sam Tingler, Chief of Utility Systems Maintenance for the Town of Cary.

To decrease such incidents, the Town of Cary last summer launched a full-time, safe disposal option for residential waste cooking oils; Cary residents can now collect their cooking oils, fats and greases in a sealable container and when at least a half gallon has been saved, contact the Town to schedule a pickup. The first of its kind known in the state, the program is aimed at reducing sewer blockage/over flows, accidental spills and disposals in landfills. Since 2006, fats, oils and greases contributed to more than 20,000 gallons of untreated wastewater being discharged into Cary area streams, creeks and lakes.

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.

For more information about Fats, Oils and Grease Control, visit www.townofcary.org.

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