Leaders in the City of Henderson are trying to address sewer bypasses caused by heavy rain. Storm water inflow and infiltration continues to present issues and a lot of times in the same areas.
WIZS News finds not fewer than 10 press releases in 2020 about sewage bypasses in Henderson.
At the nearby RDU airport, the National Weather Service indicates rainfall amounts about 10 inches above normal this year. The Greensboro area is about 18 inches above normal. In Fayetteville, the 2020 total is about 15 inches above normal.
Most recently, the City of Henderson’s sewer collection system bypassed approximately 115,180 gallons of untreated water on December 24, 2020, as was disclosed by a press release from the City.
The press release read, “The overflows occurred at Sandy Creek Pump Station, and several manholes including Neathery Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/S. Elizabeth Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/Willow Lane, intersection of Pinkston Street/Farrar Ave, S. Pinkston treet (Green Acres). Approximately 114,420 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek. Approximately 760 gallons of untreated water was contained on the ground.
North Carolina General Statutes require a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.
In an email to WIZS News, Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon said these issues “will continue to be here until we are capable of adequately and systematically addressing both our aging and in some cases non-existent infrastructure. I choose not to dwell too much on the past although it has impacted our present and how we address issues in the future. But, also, keep in mind that some weather events do create challenges that we just can’t prepare for that are not just confined to Henderson, but shared by other communities around the region.”
Blackmon continued, “The City of Henderson recently adopted a storm water ordinance which is a requirement by the State of NC if we intend to keep issuing building permits and encouraging development in our community. There are basic requirements that we have up to five years to comply with as a part of our storm water management program. Further, the City Council did agree to apply for a $2.5 million loan to assist with addressing some of our storm water issues. We will know in early spring whether or not we were successful with this effort. This process will be a marathon and not a sprint, but we have started making strides to address these issues.”
