An estimated 5,500 gallons of untreated sewage reached the Eno River in Hillsborough Wednesday afternoon, according to town officials.

Heavy rain caused flooding which closed the Riverwalk greenway and Gold Park before the sewer overflows.

A release from the town says five manholes along the Eno River sewer outfall overflowed around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon due to the amount of stormwater.

The statement says Hillsborough received more than three inches of rainfall within 24 hours.

The town has notified the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality about the spill, according to the release.

Officials say efforts to stop inflow and infiltration of sewer lines is a priority for the Hillsborough Utilities Department because it can be a major source of pollution to the Eno and its tributaries. The town is working to reline the sewer main along the Eno River sewer outfall this fiscal year. The town says about 2,000 feet has already been relined with the contractor expected back in early January to reline the remaining 4,000-plus feet. That work will close portions of the Riverwalk during the construction.

The Riverwalk greenway and Gold Park remain closed at this time.

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