City officials in Jacksonville announced on Monday that an early morning sewage spill reached a tributary that leads to the nearby New River.
According to the announcement, which is required by state law, 35,751 gallons of untreated sewage spilled into Mill Creek near the area of Dewitt Street in Jacksonville. Officials attributed the spill to a bypass pump that malfunctioned.
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City crews stopped the discharge at 8 a.m. Monday by swapping in a new relay on the primary pump.
Crews have deployed chlorine tablets and pelletized lime at the site, according to the mandated announcement. Sampling in multiple locations along the creek will continue until bacterial counts clear up.
“At no time was city drinking water compromised and there is no danger to the public,” officials stated.
State requires that owners or operators of wastewater collection or treatment works issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters. The city’s announcement was in accordance with that regulation and issued to the media covering Onslow County.
The state Division of Water Resources was notified of the spill and is reviewing the matter, according to the press release. If you’d like more information, call city hall at 910-938-5249.
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