'Don't rush to flush': Wad of paper blamed for Cary sewer spill

The spill happened in the 300 block of Montibello Drive. Town staff members said they became aware of the spill at 11 a.m. and cleared the blockage using hydraulic jetting equipment by 11:48 a.m.

The waste reached an unnamed tributary of Black Creek, and no fish kill was observed, officials said.

“Don’t rush to flush. Never use your toilet as a trash can. Instead, place a wastebasket in your bathroom to dispose of common paper waste like wipes, paper towels and tissues,” Sam Tingler, chief of utility system management, said in a statement.

Tingler added that even products labeled as “flushable” do not break down as quickly, causing accumulation and blockage in pipes and pumping equipment.

As required by law, additional notification has been made to the State Division of Water Resources, which will review the incident.

North Carolina General Statues require public notice within 24 hours of detection of a wastewater overflow of 1,000 gallons or greater that also reaches surface waters. Paid advertisements are also necessary for spills of 15,000 gallons or greater.