Youngsville, North Carolina April 25, 2017: Franklin County Public Utilities experienced a bypass of untreated wastewater at two separate locations, one in the Youngsville District and the other in the Franklinton District. The spills occurred after receiving heavy rainfall over the course of 56 hours. The main cause of both bypasses is attributable to the direct inflow of stormwater into the sewer collection system. The spill in the Youngsville District (sewer main off of Railroad St) is estimated to have released 20,000 gallons into an unnamed tributary of Richland Creek and in the Franklinton District (manhole at lift station off Chavis St) is estimated to have released 19,000 gallons.
Franklin County staff was notified of the spill by electronic monitoring equipment and appropriate staff responded to the incident. All operating equipment was found to be in working order but was unable to handle the inflow of stormwater.
As required by North Carolina State Law, the spill was reported to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality and is currently under review.
For additional information concerning this event, please contact Mike Bailes, Franklin County Public Utilities Interim Director at (919) 556-6177. Additional contact numbers can be obtained by visiting Franklin County’s website at www.franklincountync.us.
Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses.