Sewage flows into Greensboro creeks three times in a month

For the third time in less than a month, a large amount of raw sewage flowed into a Greensboro-area creek Thursday, officials said.

In all three cases, clogged pipes caused the overflow, according to the city of Greensboro.

On Thursday, about 1,000 gallons of untreated wastewater escaped a sewer main at 300 S. Benbow Drive and flowed into North Buffalo Creek, a tributary of the Cape Fear River basin. Wastewater flowed into the creek for about 1 hour, the city said.

Paving contractor Thomas Arthur operates a facility at that address.

On March 30, 3,300 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed from a sewer line over about 2 hours into Reedy Fork, the city said.

A warehouse is located at the site of that incident, 6205 Corporate Park Drive.

On March 25, a clog caused by cooking grease resulted in about 13,000 gallons of raw sewage flowing into South Buffalo Creek over three hours, according to the city.

That leak was from a sewer main at 3609 Frazier Road, west of South Holden Road.

In all three cases, "the blockage was cleared using a sewer-cleaning combination truck to prevent further discharge," the city said.

Officials notified the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and implemented measures to minimize environmental impact, including opening fire hydrants to flush the creek with clean water, the city added.

Reedy Fork, South Buffalo Creek and North Buffalo Creek are tributaries of the Cape Fear River basin.

A combination of sanitary wipes and accumulations of fats, oils and grease from cooking often causes sewer overflows. The city urged residents to throw wipes in the trash rather than flushing them down the toilet, and to avoid putting grease in household drains.

To report sewer emergencies or suspected vandalism, including excessive sewer odors or sewage flowing from manholes or pipes, residents may call Greensboro Water Resources' 24-hour dispatch at 336-373-2033.

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