Lake Norman sewage spill due to grease poured into sinks

A homeowner in Block 20300 of Queensdale Court in Cornelius has caused a sewage leak in a cove in Lake Norman, Charlotte Water officials said on Friday, December 17, 2021.

A homeowner in Block 20300 of Queensdale Court in Cornelius has caused a sewage leak in a cove in Lake Norman, Charlotte Water officials said on Friday, December 17, 2021.

Google Street View

Grease that was poured into the drains of sinks in “multiple houses” created unpolluted sewage in a bay on Lake Normann, a spokesman for Charlotte Water said on Friday.

Although crews were quick to respond, nearly 2,700 gallons of dammed sewage spilled into the bay, according to a press release from Charlotte Water.

“The fat blockade was caused by multiple homes, not one or more addresses,” spokesman Cam Coley told The Charlotte Observer.

“We recommend our customers not to put any fats, oils or fats in the kitchen sinks,” Coley said in an email.

The spill was reported in block 20300 of Queensdale Drive in Cornelius, according to the city council.

Most sewage spills are avoidable, Coley said in the press release.

“Anything installed in a pipe or manhole can cause sewer overflows, spill raw sewage into your street, stream, or even your own house,” he said. “Even products marked as ‘flushable’ do not fail in the sewer system and can contribute to clogging.”

Tips to avoid wastewater stagnation

Charlotte Water has issued this list of common household items and where to throw them:

Throw in the trash: paper towels, wipes, hair, cotton swabs, women’s products, floss, coffee grounds, and excess food.

Throw in the toilet: only toilet paper.

Drain in the sink: soapy water, small amounts of food from the plate and liquids.

Take to a full service recycling center: used and expired oils and fats.

Charlotte Water crews will respond to a report of a leak around the clock, officials said.

Call 311 or 704-336-7600 to report a spill.

Mecklenburg recycling centers

Foxhole Recycling Center: 17131 Lancaster Highway, Charlotte

North Mecklenburg Recycling Center: 12300 N. Statesville Road, Huntersville

Hickory Grove Recycling Center: 8007 Pence Road, Charlotte

Composting Center and Recycling Center: 140 Valleydale Road, Charlotte

Similar stories from Charlotte Observer

Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989, covering people, communities and major regional news events, and was the news bureau editor for the newspaper. He is currently reporting breaking news.

You might also like

Comments are closed.