Johnston County Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater

September 21, 2023

For Immediate Release:

Smithfield, NC – General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters. In accordance with that regulation, the following news release has been prepared and issued to media in the affected county:

The Johnston County wastewater collection system had a discharge of untreated wastewater on September 18 - 21, 2023 in the vicinity of 680 County Home Road, Smithfield, N.C. The untreated wastewater discharged was a combination of partially treated wastewater and fully treated reclaimed water with a total combined volume of approximately 237,600 gallons. The wastewater discharged into an unnamed tributary to Middle Creek. The discharge was a result of a manhole overflow due to reclaimed water temporarily discharged into the wastewater collection system.

The Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on September 21, 2023 and is reviewing the matter. For more information, contact the Johnston County Public Utilities Department at (919) 989-5075.