AHOSKIE – A wastewater spill here Wednesday resulted in approximately 200,000 gallons of sewage finding its way into the Ahoskie Creek.

In a press release issued to the News-Herald on Thursday, the spill occurred from a collection system manhole on Rhue Street Extension at the town’s old wastewater treatment plant.

According to Ahoskie Town Manager Tony Hammond, a log was apparently placed in the manhole, causing a blockage of the line that eventually led to the spill.

Hammond said the spill lasted approximately 12 hours. The untreated wastewater spilled into ditch leading to the Ahoskie Creek, which is part of the Chowan River Basin.

Acting accordingly to North Carolina General Statutes, the town issued a news release, required within 48 hours of the spill. That release must also be forwarded to media outlets in Bertie County, the next county downstream from the spill site.

House Bill 1160, which the North Carolina General Assembly enacted in July 1999, requires that a municipality, animal operations, industries and others who operate waste handling systems issue news releases when a waste spill of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.

Hammond said the North Carolina Division of Water Quality was also notified of the issue on November 4.