Cornelius wastewater spill overflowing into Lake Norman: Charlotte Water

CORNELIUS, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Charlotte Water says crews are responding to a wastewater spill in Cornelius on Jetton Road.

Officials say most homes in the area use low-pressure sewer systems that carry the waste to a gravity-fed sewer and the wastewater treatment plant. One of these low-pressure pipes is leaking sewage into Lake Norman. City officials later confirmed the cause was due to a pipe failure and approximately 255 gallons of sewage was spilled into Lake Norman.

Charlotte Water will provide an update on how large this spill is once crews contain it. it’s located on the section of Jetton near Brigadoon Place.

“A majority of wastewater overflows can be prevented with your help,” said Charlotte Water spokeswoman Cam Coley. “Anything put in plumbing or a manhole can cause wastewater overflows, spilling raw sewage into your street, your creek or even inside your own home. Even products labeled as ‘flushable’ do not break down in the sewer system and can contribute to clogging.”

Charlotte Water has released a guide on what can and cannot go into the sewer system:

• Paper towels, wipes, hair, cotton swabs, feminine products, dental floss, coffee grounds and excess food go into the trash .
• Only toilet paper goes into the toilet .
• Soap suds, small amounts of food scraps, and liquids (excluding fats, oils, or grease) can go into the kitchen sink .
• Used and expired oils and grease go to full-service recycling centers .

Call 311 or 704-336-7600 any time of day to report a sewage spill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.