Two sewer spills in Durham linked to vandalism

Officials with the City of Durham Department of Water Management said two sewage overflows were the result of vandalism.

Crews responded Friday to a sanitary sewer overflow from a manhole at 2917 Salvone Court. Approximately 12,550 gallons of wastewater flowed into a tributary of Little Lick Creek. Officials said staff were notified of the overflow at 8:49 a.m. and the spill was contained by 1 p.m.

Upon investigation, staff discovered appliance parts and other inappropriate items inside the manhole and determined the spill had occurred due to vandalism. Crews jetted the main, remediated the spill site, dammed the creek downstream, flushed the creek, and pumped the untreated wastewater back into the sanitary sewer system.

Officials said less than one hour later, staff responded to a second sanitary sewer overflow from a manhole at 24 Phauff Court. That overflow was also due to vandalism, officials said. Staff responded at 1:52 p.m. and the spill was contained by 3:08 p.m.

Approximately 11,400 gallons of wastewater flowed into the same tributary of Little Lick Creek. Crews remediated the spill site and, as the creek was already dammed and being flushed, the untreated wastewater was pumped back into the sanitary sewer system.