Tom's Creek is getting attention for all the wrong reasons this week, after Wake Forest officials traced a nasty odor near Kemble Ridge Drive on Monday back to a release of untreated wastewater. Town staff followed the smell to the creek and say a privately operated wastewater treatment facility was discharging untreated effluent into the water. Officials are urging residents to stay out of the creek and to keep pets away from the water until testing shows it is safe again.
Town Response And Safety Warnings
In a post on the Town of Wake Forest page, officials said town staff contacted the company operating the facility and alerted the regional office of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The post also notes that staff coordinated with the City of Raleigh/Raleigh Water while crews work to stop the discharge and clean up the mess. The town said more details will be shared as they are confirmed.
Why Tom's Creek Matters Locally
Tom's Creek was already on the watch list before this incident. The town's 2024 Toms Creek Watershed Master Plan describes the stream as impaired and documents a history of water-quality problems. The report highlights prior impacts from a nearby treatment plant, as well as streambank erosion and nutrient sensitivity that leave the creek especially vulnerable to pollution. Local officials say that track record is a big reason this latest untreated release is being treated as a serious water-quality incident.
State Enforcement And Health Guidance
State rules prohibit any discharge of untreated wastewater into surface waters, and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality notes that enforcement tools can include notices of violation, civil penalties, and other actions under the NPDES program (North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality). Town officials have repeated that residents should not fish, swim, or let pets drink from Tom's Creek while the investigation continues. According to the town's post, anyone with observations or concerns is encouraged to use the town's usual communication channels to report them.
Local Fallout And Next Steps
Town staff say they will keep the public updated as water testing continues and cleanup moves forward, and NCDEQ personnel are expected to follow up as part of their compliance work. The incident comes amid several wastewater problems reported across the region in recent weeks, including a major sewer spill near Brier Creek in May that drew added scrutiny from regulators, according to WPTF. This story will be updated when the town or the state releases new information.
