The latest spill happened Wednesday night in a Durham neighborhoodwhen a pipe was damaged. Workers stopped the sewage from flowing intoJordan lake, but neighbors are concerned about water quality now, and inthe future.
The question on the lips of many is -- are there more sewage spillsthese days, or are we just hearing more about them?
On August 3, 1 million gallons of sewage leaked into a tributary thatfeeds the Jordan Lake. Nine days later thousands of gallons of sewagethreatened tributaries that feed the Neuse River. Wednesday, it was 20,000gallons in Durham
Area resident Laurie Deitch says she just hopes this most recent spillis cleaned up soon.
Taking care of the spills is one thing, but preventing them can be eventougher. Factors that contribute to sewage spills range fromhuman error to old improperly maintained systems. Rapid population growthcan also contribute as more and more people depend on existing systems.
Water quality spokesperson Ernie Seneca says the biggest danger is notto people but nature. Sewage spills lead to fish kills. Hundreds of fishdied in the Wake County spill Tuesday. In order to take care of nature, wehave to take care of the water.
The State Legislature is working on a bill that would requirelocalities to clean up old sewage systems and bring them up to date. That bill is still in the General Assembly.
Reporter:Wisdom Martin
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