Nearly 7,000 gallons of untreated sewage was discharged onto a Hillsborough road Thursday.

Area where untreated sewage was discharged in Hillsborough. Photo via Google Maps.

Town officials said a partial blockage that was caused by rags led to the discharge on Faribault Lane – just south of the Eno River – near the Riverwalk trail head.

“Rags include items such as towels, diapers and shirts. Disposal of these items into the town’s sewer system caused untreated wastewater to reach an unnamed tributary of the Eno River,” officials said in a release.

Crews responding to the scene reported two manholes overflowing untreated wastewater.

“After remediation and investigation, the discharge was determined to be a result of a partial pipe blockage of rags exacerbated by persistent overnight rainfall.”

The discharge was reported around 9:15 a.m. Thursday and was cleared before 3 p.m.

Town officials are asking residents “to not flush or dispose of sanitary products, wipes, grease or other trash into the sewers.”

Photo via Google Maps

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