RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – The ongoing cleanup of more than 1.1 million gallons of untreated wastewater in the Brier Creek area of Raleigh could take several days. This from Raleigh water officials.
In information released Wednesday evening, the city of Raleigh water reported “No vegetative damage or fish kill has been observed in connection with this incident.”
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality reported the spill originated in the 2800 block of Airport Boulevard. Upon arrival Tuesday night, utility responders identified an active sanitary sewer overflow emanating from a sewer lift station bypass under the control of a private contractor performing work for a private developer.
Staff confirmed that the overflow was the result of a failed joint within a pipe that was set in place to bypass a forced sewer main that serves the Brier Creek pump station. A pump and haul operation commenced while the contractor worked to repair the bypass piping.
Some of the earliest video of the spill was posted on the site: www.facebook.com/raleighdowntown.
According to a press release from the city of Raleigh, discharge from the failed bypass was contained within two excavated pits within the construction site on the RDU International Airport property and did not reach surface waters. It is estimated that approximately 1,143,800 gallons of untreated wastewater were discharged from the failed bypass pipe.
Capital Improvements Division staff worked to assist the contractor with the repair of the bypass, which was completed around 10 p.m. Tuesday, stopping the overflow at that time. Collection of the wastewater discharged on the construction site property is ongoing.
During the pump and haul operation, a contractor hired by the construction project general contractor mistakenly discharged wastewater from this incident into a storm drain in the vicinity of 7601 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh. This resulted in wastewater reaching surface waters via Turkey Creek. Work to collect the discharged wastewater and clean the affected creek is ongoing. The contractor has yet to provide data to allow estimation of the total amount that reached surface waters.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and The Division of Water Resources, was notified of this incident on May 13, 2026, at 8 a.m. Staff from the Division of Water Resources conducted site visits of both locations. Additional follow-up will be completed in the coming weeks.
On its facebook page, the organization Sound Rivers recommended all community members avoid contact with Turkey Creek and Crabtree Creek downstream of the Lynn Rd and Glenwood Ave intersection until cleanup is complete and water quality samples are clean.
If you experience excessive sewer smells or see sewer spilling from manholes or pipes, please call 919-996-3245 to report immediately.