For those who don’t know the sound of a broken record, a scratch or imperfection causes the same portion of sound to repeat over and over.

In this case, it’s the City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System that is broken, and the repeated information is the locations listed where the bypasses are occurring.

A press release from the City indicates, “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, and Bridgers Street.”

The 38,000 some-odd gallons of untreated water escaped on January 31 due to inflow and infiltration from rainfall.

Approximately 38,160 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek.  The press release shows approximately 600 gallons of untreated water was contained on the ground.

State statutes require a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.

Questions concerning the matter should be phoned in to 252.226.4492 or 252.430.9387 or 252.431.6117.

In 2020, one of the wettest on record for this area, the City issued not fewer than 10 press releases about sewer bypasses, many in the same locations.

For nearby RDU airport in 2020, the National Weather Service indicates rainfall amounts about 10 inches above normal.  The Greensboro area was about 18 inches above normal.  In Fayetteville, the 2020 total was about 15 inches above normal.  The rain, precipitation and general soggy weather has persisted into 2021.

A December 24, 2020 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 street (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.”

At that time, Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon wrote in an email to WIZS about the City’s plans to address “both our aging and in some cases non-existent infrastructure.”

Also, he wrote, “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.”