As a result of Tropical Story Debby, officials with the town of Mount Olive have reported a waste spill in the headwaters of the North East Cape Fear River.

According to reports, a discharge of untreated sewer from the collection system’s manhole located at 408 Wilkins Farm Rd. was discovered Thursday, Aug. 8, in the morning hours and stopped Friday, Aug. 9, around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. The spillage is a result of a 12-inch rainfall that occurred over the last few days as Tropical Storm Debby passed over the area.

Approximately 483,000 gallons reached service waters.

House Bill 1160, which the General Assembly enacted in July 1999, requires those municipalities, animal operations, industries and others who operate waste handling systems issue news releases when a waste spill of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.

For more information, contact Mount Olive’s town manager Jammie Royall at 919-658-9539.