Notice of Untreated Wastewater Discharge in Johnston County

Smithfield, NC – 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.

The Johnston County wastewater collection system had a discharge of untreated wastewater on October 18-19, 2026 in the vicinity of 1005 Winston Road, Clayton, NC. Approximately 19,800 gallons of untreated wastewater discharged into White Oak Creek in the Neuse River Basin. The discharge was a result of a pressure pipe failure.  

The NC Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on October 19, 2026 and is reviewing the matter. For more information, contact Johnston County Public Utilities at 919-989-5075.