More than 4,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spill into Durham creek

The City of Durham Department of Water Management said staff responded to a separated sewer main Monday at 2006 Aiken Avenue. Approximately 4,200 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into an unnamed tributary of Ellerbe Creek, the city said. A separated sewer line caused the overflow. 

Staff were notified of the overflow at 11 a.m., and the overflow was stopped at 2:30 p.m. The city said crews cleared the blockage, dammed the creek downstream and pumped the untreated wastewater back into the sewer system.

"There were no observed hazards to persons, property or the environment," the city said.