WQCS00236_Report_20210719

WASTEWATER SPILL IN LITTLETON, NC
Senate Bill 729, effective September 20th, 2014, modifies G.S. 143.215.1C by requiring issuance
of a press release within 24 hours (originally 48 hours) after the owner or operator has
determined a discharge of 1,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater to surface waters of
the State.
In accordance with the regulation, the following news release has been prepared and issued to
media in the affected area:
Due to Tropical Storm Elsa that brought over 3 inches of rain to the town of Littleton area in the
afternoon of July 7th, 2021, our wastewater collections system and wastewater treatment
facility experienced three sanitary sewer overflows. The first overflow started at approximately
3:30 p.m. at 220 Oak Street, pumping station and spilled an estimated 10,000 gallons of
untreated wastewater. This overflow concluded at approximately 10:30 p.m. on July 7th. The
second sanitary sewer overflow was located at 200 Church Street pumping station at
approximately 4:00 p.m. spilling an estimated 7,000 gallons of untreated wastewater. This
overflow concluded at approximately 10:45 p.m. July 7th. The third sanitary sewer overflow
occurred at the Town of Littleton's wastewater treatment plant at 501 Hwy 4. This overflow
was estimated to be 25,000 gallons of untreated but highly diluted wastewater that started at
3:00 p.m. and concluded at approximately 11:30 p.m. July 7th.
The above listed wastewater spills were untreated but were also highly diluted with rainwater
from Tropical Storm Elsa and the high water levels in the tributaries of the Tar River Basin.
Preventative measures and repairs are being put in place to combat the inflow and infiltration
issues in the collections system to minimize further wastewater discharges due to heavy rain
events in the future.
The Division of Water Resources was notified within the 24 hour parameter of all wastewater
overflows that occurred on the afternoon and evening of July 7th, 2021. For any questions or
information regarding this matter please contact Luke Compton at 252-326-4996 or Owen Scott
at 252-586-2709.