Raleigh wastewater spill near RDU: 1.1M gallons dumped into storm drain during construction mishap
ABC11 Raleigh-Durham • • business
Key Points:
- Over 1.1 million gallons of untreated wastewater were released near Raleigh-Durham International Airport due to a pipe failure in a temporary bypass system at a sewer construction site.
- The overflow was mostly contained within excavated pits, but a contractor's error during cleanup caused some wastewater to enter a storm drain and reach Turkey Creek.
- The total amount of wastewater that entered the creek remains unknown, and the spill has negatively impacted nearby businesses, including Auction Direct, due to foul odors and blocked access.
- Cleanup efforts are ongoing, with no fish kill or visible environmental damage reported so far; the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is monitoring the situation.
- The incident is under investigation, and officials expect to provide further updates in the coming weeks.