General Statute 143.215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.  

In accordance with the regulation, the following press release has been prepared and issued to media in the affected counties:

Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District had seven wastewater spills on Sunday, March 16th, 2025, and Monday, March 17th, 2025, due to heavy sustained rainfall measuring 4.65 inches over the 24-hour period. During this instance, 125,400 gallons are estimated to have spilled from the wastewater collection system from Manhole A54; an isolated manhole in sub-basin ‘A’, located near Land St. and Laurel St. in Roanoke Rapids, NC. 9,000 gallons are estimated to have spilled from the wastewater collection system from Manhole B45, located at the corner of W. 3rd St. and Starke Dr. in Roanoke Rapids, NC. The untreated wastewater discharged to an adjacent storm drain. 11,250 gallons are estimated to have spilled from the wastewater collection system from Manhole B32, located near the corner of W. 2nd St. and Harvey Circle in Roanoke Rapids, NC. The untreated wastewater discharged to Rochelle Pond. 12,600 gallons are estimated to have spilled from the wastewater collection system from Manhole B136, located at the corner of Franklin St. and W. 4th St. in Roanoke Rapids, NC. The untreated wastewater discharged to an adjacent storm drain. 1,800 gallons are estimated to have spilled from the wastewater collection system from Manhole D5, located at the corner of Rapids St. and W. 10th St. in Roanoke Rapids, NC. The untreated wastewater discharged to an adjacent storm drain. 22,500 gallons are estimated to have spilled from the wastewater collection system from Manhole PC-1, located at 514 Lawrenceville Road in Gaston, NC. The untreated wastewater discharged to an adjacent storm ditch. 900 gallons are estimated to have spilled from the wastewater collection system from Manhole 109; located at 100 Gaston Road in Roanoke Rapids, NC. The untreated wastewater discharged to an adjacent storm drain. An estimated total of 183,450 gallons of untreated wastewater, due to heavy sustained rainfall measuring 4.65 inches over the 24-hour period, spilled into the waters of the state tributary to the Roanoke River in the Roanoke River Basin.  Preparations are being made for all known repairs necessary to reduce the sources of inflow and infiltration to the wastewater collection system and minimize further discharge.

The NCDEQ Division of Water Resources was notified of the events on March 17th, 2025, and is reviewing the matter.