More than 3,000 gallons of sewage spills into Durham creek, kills fish

Thousands of gallons of sewage spilled into a creek Tuesday in Durham.

The City of Durham Department of Water Management said that staff responded to a manhole overflowing at 6100 Pine Glen Trail. Approximately 3,260 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into an unnamed tributary of Southwest Crooked Creek, the city said. The city said the spill was caused by grease clogging the sewer line.

The city was made aware of the overflow Tuesday at 9:37 a.m., and the overflow was stopped at 12:20 p.m. The city said crews cleared the blockage, dammed the creek downstream and pumped the untreated wastewater back into the sewer system. Two fish were killed as a result of the spill, the city said.

As a reminder, only water, human waste, and toilet paper are permitted to be discharged into the sewer system. All other materials – fats, oils, and greases (FOGs) and nonwoven materials (so-called flushable wipes and rags) that should not be allowed into the sink or toilet – contribute to sanitary sewer overflows.

To learn more about the way FOGs and nonwovens clog pipes and how to properly dispose of them, go to durhamnc.gov.