The break was discovered at approximately 2:30 p.m. Dec. 29. The break was due to recent rains undermining the support peer at a creek crossing near Asheville Road and Howell Mill Road. The instance sewage totaled an estimated 7,000 gallons.

The untreated wastewater was discharged into Racoon Creek in the Pigeon River Basin.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Quality was notified on December 30, 2020 of the event and is reviewing the matter.

Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater: General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.

In accordance with that regulation, the following news release has been prepared and issued to the media in Haywood County.

For further information, please contact Junaluska Sanitary District office at 828-452-1178.