Bessemer City, NC – In accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143.215.1C(b)(1), owners or operators of wastewater collection or treatment systems are required to issue a public notice when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters. Pursuant to this regulation, the following information is being released to the media in the affected county.
On Monday, October 6, 2025, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the City of Bessemer City was notified of a sewer overflow near an outfall line along North 9th Street. The overflow was stopped by 11:00 a.m. the same day. It is estimated that approximately 3,000 gallons of untreated wastewater entered Gibson’s Branch, which flows into Long Creek and ultimately the Catawba River Basin.
Preliminary investigation indicates the overflow was caused by a break in a sewer force main line.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) was notified of the incident on October 6, 2025, and has reviewed the matter in accordance with state regulations.
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