News

A trash trap location-scouting expedition in Smithfield launched a Sound Rivers’ sewage investigation last Friday, when Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop and Sound Rivers Program Director Clay Barber unexpectedly came across what appears to be an ongoing sewage spill into the Neuse River.

“We were scouting trash trap locations with Austin Cross, the Parks and Open Space grant coordinator for Johnston County, and we walked to both proposed locations — both of the sites are very near our Swim Guide site at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission boat ramp at Town Common,” Clay said. “When we were strolling from trap location A to trap location B, we went past a storm drain pipe, a stormwater outfall, that reeked of sewage.”

The stormwater outfall is located about 100 yards downstream of Sound Rivers Swim Guide site, and right off the Neuse River Trail.

“There are certain telltale signs to a problem,” Samantha said. “The odor was extremely strong, and smelled like sewage — when it’s sewage, it has an unmistakable smell. It was also an almost iridescent blue color, which is another sign, but the No. 1 indicator was a fast flow during a dry period. It was an alarming amount flowing directly into the Neuse River.”

Samantha returned to the spot this week to take water samples and test them for bacteria; results are pending. She said she will be reaching out to Smithfield’s Public Works department to share her findings.

“This is why it’s important for us Riverkeepers to be out and about on the river. We were on the Neuse for one reason, but we came across an issue that might be something we have to investigate,” Samantha said. “I’m surprised we haven’t had more complaints about it, because we were told it’s been going on for a while. So, if it smells like sewage, and it’s running during a dry time, call us.”

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