CHARLOTTE, NC — Officials say another estimated 100,000 gallons of wastewater was spilled Thursday morning when the streambank collapsed at the repair site of the 36 inch wastewater pipe.
Courtesy @CLTWater
Crews were in the process of repairing the 36 inch main that was damaged during Monday’s storms when the streambank gave way. The bypass pump line came loose when the bank collapsed and spilled an additional 100,000 gallons onto the streambank, according to officials. Most of the spill was contained however, before it was able to enter the creek.
The bypass line has been repaired and bypass operations have resumed. Crews say the spilled wastewater will be vacuumed and properly treated at the wastewater treatment plant.
Officials with Charlotte Water say and estimated 4.7 million gallons of wastewater had already entered Mallard Creek following the main’s break Monday night. According to officials, staff at the Mallard Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant found the break Tuesday morning after noticing lower than normal wastewater levels entering the plant.
The break was located just east of the N. Tryon Street and E. Mallard Creek Church Road intersection.
Crews quickly began notifying downstream residents and working to contain the leak. The bypass pump was finally able to stop the spill around 8:15pm Tuesday, officials say.
“We detected the problem quickly, unfortunately it took us a few hours to find the spill location along Mallard Creek and control the discharge from the broken pipe,” says Deputy Director Ron Hargrove. “We have to estimate that the spill probably started during the storm or soon thereafter.”
Charlotte Water says the spill is contained through the use of bypass pumps, and they are being monitored around the clock. Multiple agencies have also been working to remove debris from the creek.
Officials say it could be another 7 – 10 days before repair work is completed.
