The Weekender: Sh*t Happens
A huge sewer spill hit Little Creek, Clayton’s budget passed with utility rates going up, and summer events are filling the calendar. Here’s what happened this week and what’s coming next.
Good morning, Clayton.
Issue 2 is here, and this week got weird fast.
We started the week thinking downtown parking might be The Big Thing. Then, more than 400,000 gallons of untreated wastewater entered Little Creek, the town passed a budget with utility rates going up, and suddenly, parking could wait.
That’s how this thing is probably going to work sometimes. Clayton is moving fast, and the job here is to slow it down, sort it out, and make it useful.
This week, we’re looking at the Little Creek sewer spill, the town’s response, what residents should know, and what questions are still hanging around. We’ve also got a budget update, a Planning Board meeting to keep an eye on, pay-what-you-can groceries, Restaurant Week news, and a solid weekend of things to do.
Let’s get into it.
The Dispatch Lead
What’s That Smell?
Based on a report from JoCoReport and a public notice placed in the June 17 edition of The Johnstonian Sun, more than 400,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into Little Creek after a sanitary sewer overflow was discovered near Veterans Parkway.
According to information released by the Town of Clayton, the overflow was found on Tuesday, June 9, on an easement between 172 Veterans Parkway and the eastbound exit ramp from Clayton Boulevard. Town officials estimated that approximately 403,200 gallons of untreated wastewater entered a stormwater junction box that discharges directly into Little Creek, a tributary within the Neuse River Basin.
The overflow was reportedly caused by debris obstructing a gravity sewer main.
The public notice states that General Statute 143-215.1C requires the owner or operator of a wastewater collection or treatment system to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters. The notice also said the North Carolina Division of Water Resources was notified of the incident on June 10 and is reviewing the matter.
The Division of Water Resources will determine whether any additional action is warranted following its review.
“Sheeeeeee-it.” — State Senator Clay Davis
It’s a number big enough for residents to worry about: 403,200 gallons of untreated wastewater.
That’s about 53,900 cubic feet. For reference, a 20-foot moving truck has roughly 1,000 cubic feet of cargo space. So imagine about 54 moving trucks’ worth of untreated wastewater.
We got a great big convoy, and she ain’t a beautiful sight. (For all of our C.W. McCall fans out there)
The timing doesn’t help. Johnston County is currently asking residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water because of ongoing drought conditions and low river levels. In lower-flow conditions, residents may reasonably have more questions about odor, water quality, and downstream impact after a spill of this size.
On social media, residents have already raised concerns about sewer smells, water quality, infrastructure strain, and whether local systems are keeping pace with growth. Some asked whether nearby odor complaints had been received before the overflow was reported. Others questioned whether aging infrastructure and new development are putting more pressure on systems originally built for a smaller Clayton.
Not every Facebook comment is a confirmed fact. But the concerns are real enough that the town should be answering direct questions from the public.
The Dispatch asked the Town of Clayton when the overflow began, how the spill estimate was calculated, when the sewer main was last inspected, whether the town received recent odor complaints, whether water testing was conducted in Little Creek, and what steps are being taken to prevent a similar overflow.
We also asked whether the town considers this an isolated blockage or whether it is evaluating capacity, maintenance, inflow, and infiltration, or growth-related infrastructure strain as possible factors.
In its response to The Dispatch, the Town of Clayton said the active overflow was stopped quickly once staff discovered it.
According to the town, a staff member found the overflow on Tuesday, June 9, while mowing the easement as part of routine maintenance. Managers were notified at 1:19 p.m., crews responded immediately, removed the blockage, and stopped the active overflow by approximately 2:20 p.m.
So once the problem was found, the town says it was stopped in about an hour.
That sounds like a very strong response to a very stinky problem.
The question of how long the problem had been happening before that remained.
According to the town, staff estimated sewage was flowing at approximately 20 gallons per minute. After the overflow was contained, staff investigated the area and spoke with the manager of the nearby storage facility, who said he had noticed an odor for approximately two weeks but had not reported it to the town.
Because the exact start time could not be independently confirmed, the town said it used the longest possible timeframe identified during the investigation.
That is how the town got to 403,200 gallons:
20 gallons per minute x 1,440 minutes per day x 14 days = 403,200 gallons.
The town said this reflects the standard approach for estimating sanitary sewer overflow volume when the exact start time is unknown. It also said a visual inspection of the area did not indicate that 403,200 gallons of sewage had overflowed, but that the town chose to err on the side of caution by reporting the maximum possible estimate based on the information available.
That distinction is important.
The town isn’t saying it confirmed that exactly 403,200 gallons entered Little Creek. It is saying that’s the maximum possible estimate based on the flow rate and the longest possible timeline identified during the investigation.
Still, even as an estimate, how did a sewer issue possibly go unnoticed long enough to produce a two-week estimate?
The answer, according to the town, is that gravity sewer mains don’t have alarms like pump stations. These overflows are usually discovered through inspections, routine maintenance, staff observations, or public reports.
In this case, the town said no recent odor complaints had been received for the area before staff found the overflow.
That may be the clearest public takeaway from the whole thing: if you smell something, say something.
The town says sewer odors or possible sewer issues should be reported immediately by calling 919-553-1530. Maybe no one on town staff saw the several social media comments about the odor.
Please Stop Flushing Weird Stuff
The town says the blockage was caused by debris in the gravity sewer main.
Crews found rags, feminine hygiene products, Q-tips, grease, wrappers, and other items that should not be flushed or placed into the sewer system. The town said the debris appears to have entered the system through customer use, such as items being flushed or grease being poured down drains, but said it cannot determine the specific customer or source.
So yes, please stop flushing weird stuff.
The town is reminding customers that only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed. Even items marketed as “flushable” can contribute to blockages.
The More You Know.
Cleanup, Testing, and What the Town Says Happened Next
Once the overflow was discovered, the town says crews placed pumps in Little Creek to move impacted water back into the sewer collection system so it could be treated at the nearby Water Reclamation Facility.
Crews also cleaned the storm drain, used vacuum trucks to remove visible debris, flushed the affected area, and used pressurized water to move remaining material toward the pumps. The town said crews worked into the evening, monitored the area overnight, and returned the following day to complete the cleanup.
The town also said staff from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources visited the site and said they were pleased with the town’s cleanup efforts.
The overflow entered Little Creek, but the town says low-flow drought conditions and a beaver dam downstream helped limit the affected area. According to the town, the spill did not reach the Neuse River.
The town said staff conducted water testing upstream and downstream of the spill area. Those field checks included pH, conductivity, nitrates, and dissolved oxygen. Staff also said they did not observe any fish kill in the affected area.
However, the town said those water testing results are not available in a formal report. According to the town, the testing was conducted during the response to help staff assess conditions in real time and guide immediate decisions. If field samples had indicated an adverse impact to Little Creek, the town said additional samples would have been collected and sent to a lab.
Based on its cleanup efforts and observations, the town said it is not aware of any ongoing public health concern related to the overflow.
Last Friday in Clayton: Downtown Summer Nights
Kick off summer in Downtown Clayton on Friday, June 26, with live music, pop-up shops, local specials, and the first Downtown Clayton Art Walk in partnership with Clayton Visual Arts.
Shops will be open late, artists will be out on the streets, and downtown will be full of reasons to wander, shop, eat, sip, and stay a little longer.
Make a night of it.
Is This a Bigger Infrastructure Problem?
The town says no.
In response to The Dispatch, the town said it considers this an isolated blockage caused by customer debris in the gravity sewer main. The town said it is not evaluating capacity, maintenance, inflow and infiltration, or growth-related infrastructure strain as causes of this incident.
The town also said this section of sewer main was last inspected on Jan. 14, 2026, and was already scheduled for another inspection and maintenance cycle in June. According to the town, its sewer permit requires high-priority lines to be inspected at least once every six months.
This specific line is not currently scheduled for replacement, repair, or capacity improvements in the newly adopted FY27 budget. However, the town said rehabilitation and repair funding is available if the upcoming camera inspection identifies immediate needs.
For now, the town says this location will be checked weekly by Water Resources staff until a camera inspection of the line can be completed. Once that footage is reviewed, and if no further action is needed, the line will then be inspected monthly.
Sh*t Happens
All in all, this sounds like a great response from town employees on the ground. Should we feel great about an active overflow possibly going unnoticed long enough to produce a 403,200-gallon sewage estimate? No. But we can feel great that it only took cleanup crews an hour to stop it and contain everything they could. How did this happen?
The answer may be part infrastructure, part bad luck, part bad flushing habits, and part reporting.
The practical takeaway is even simpler: if you smell something that seems like a sewer issue, notify immediately by calling 919-553-1530.
The remaining question for us is this:
Why was the fuller explanation not relayed directly to the public in the first place?
The public notice gave residents the big, scary number. The town’s response to The Dispatch — a week later — gave the context: how the number was calculated, how quickly the active overflow was stopped, the impressive job crews did to clean it up, what testing was done, and what happens next.
That information is important when people wonder whether they can drink their water.
Especially when the number is 403,200 gallons.
Town Hall Watch
Budget Update
Clayton Town Council approved the town’s new budget by a 4–1 vote, with Council Member Amanda Underwood casting the lone dissenting vote. The budget keeps the property tax rate in place, but residents will still see higher utility costs, including increases to water, sewer, electric, and solid waste rates.
One lingering concern is how much detail the council had before the vote. Rather than the requested information, the council was presented with a visual timeline of the budget process and higher-level internal budget information. Underwood had previously pushed for more detailed spending records, including current-year actuals and vendor-level information.
The budget has passed, but the larger conversation may just be starting. The good news is that there is finally more discussion at the dais about spending, transparency, and how the town can find relief for residents. The hope now is that the council begins looking closely at expenses immediately, not next spring, so that by this time next year, there is more room to slow spending and reduce the pressure on taxpayers and utility customers.
Clayton Planning Board Meeting
The Clayton Planning Board meets on Monday, June 22, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. The agenda includes public meetings on the proposed Stotan Crossings Type III Conditional Rezoning and Town PUB Conventional Rezonings, both with staff recommendations for approval to the Town Council. The board will also receive a training session and a staff presentation on shipping containers. The public can attend in person or watch live on the Town of Clayton’s YouTube channel.
A training session and a staff presentation on shipping containers? It may be routine business. It may even be useful. But with two years in a row of residents are being asked to pay more, “is this the best use of staff time?” is going to be a fair question more often.
Downtown Dispatch
Pay-What-You-Can Groceries Return to Clayton
Ripe for Revival and Brightspeed’s pay-what-you-can mobile market will make two more Clayton stops this month, offering fresh produce, meat, and pantry staples at discounted prices. The market is open to the public and is designed to help families facing higher grocery costs during summer break, when school meal programs are paused. The remaining June stops are on Monday, June 22, and Monday, June 29, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 411 N. Fayetteville Street.
Downtown Clayton Restaurant Week Announced
Downtown Clayton’s first-ever Restaurant Week is set for July 13–20, giving diners a chance to explore local restaurants with special menus, exclusive offerings, chef features, and unique dining experiences. Participating restaurants will share offers, prix fixe menus, and featured dishes in the coming weeks, making it a good excuse to skip the cooking, beat the summer heat, and finally try that downtown spot you’ve been meaning to visit.
WEEKEND PICKS
A quick rundown of what’s happening around Clayton this weekend. Music, markets, food, family stuff, and anything else worth leaving the house for.
Friday
Deep River Brewing Company | 700 W. Main Street, Suite 102
Czech Party Mix Pilsner Beer Release | 2 pm
Czech Party Mix Pilsner arrives at the taproom June 19, bringing a crisp, easy-drinking Czech-style lager built for summer. The new 4.7% ABV pilsner pours golden with a clean finish, soft malt sweetness, and classic earthy, floral hop bitterness. It will be available on draft and in cans at the taproom, with distribution to stores and bottle shops across North Carolina beginning June 22.
LaDiDa Wine Shop | 459 E. Main Street
Vinyl Night | 7 pm
4 Track Records will be spinning records from 7 to 9 p.m., with a curated selection of vinyl available for purchase. Grab a glass of wine, browse the crates, and settle in for an easygoing night where sound and sip meet.
Saturday
Elixir VI | 425 E Main Street
Drag Me to Brunch: Pride Edition | noon
Elixir VI celebrates Pride with Drag Me to Brunch: Pride Edition on Saturday, June 20, from noon to 2 p.m. Hosted by Ruby Liqueur, the brunch show features performances by Koee of Kanekalon, Bella Beatrix Rouge, Ruby Liqueur, and Soulja Bae, with big energy, brunch cocktails, and plenty of Pride. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, with limited seating available at elixirvi.com.
Artmosphere Community Arts Center | 3919 Raleigh Road
1st Annual Carolina ClayFest '26 | Starting at 10 am
Carolina ClayFest ’26 celebrates all things clay with a free, family-friendly day of artists, vendors, live demonstrations, hands-on classes, food trucks, and Raku firings. Visitors can shop for handmade pottery, watch artists at work, or purchase a premade form to glaze and Raku fire on-site.
Carolina ClayFest '26 — Artmosphere Community Arts Center
Downtown Clayton
The Downtown Clayton Summer Bar Crawl | 5 pm
Downtown Clayton goes international for a summer bar crawl with participating bars representing different countries through specialty cocktails, themed decor, country colors, and plenty of soccer-style energy. General admission includes one drink ticket, a themed rally towel, a passport game card, and event swag, with stops including Clayton Rocks as Ireland, La-Di-Da as France, Revival 1869 as Jamaica, The Cardinal as the USA, First Street Tavern as England, Church Spirits & Cocktails as Spain, Fare Game as Portugal, and Elixir VI as Brazil. Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. at Clayton Rocks. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Sunday
The Station Clayton | 231 E Second St
Daniel DeLorenzo & Doug Sours | 12pm
Celebrate Father’s Day with a special brunch jam session featuring Daniel DeLorenzo and Doug Sours. Bring dad, grab brunch, and settle in for live music and a laid-back Sunday afternoon.
East Clayton Community Park | 1774 Glen Laurel Road
Clayton Clovers vs. Danville Dairy Daddies
The Clayton Clovers take on the Danville Dairy Daddies in a Piedmont Division matchup on Sunday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m. at East Clayton Community Park.
One Good Thing
Every week, we're going to try and end on a positive note. Snapshots of Clayton history, local legends, monumental ackomplishments in the community, and more. This section is supposed to make you feel good.
Clayton Is Starting to Really Feel Like an Art Town
For a long time, Clayton has had artists. Now it is starting to feel like an art town. You can see it in the community events from Artmosphere, the downtown gallery spaces at Heart2Hands and Right Angles Framing and Art, and the live performances from The Unsanctioned Rehearsal Society popping up in unexpected places like The Magnolia Inn and Revival 1869. You can see it in the town’s Art Advisory Board, bringing knitted flowers downtown, managing the sculpture trail, and, recently, making it easier to get murals approved on local buildings. And next Friday, June 26, you’ll be able to see it in the streets when Clayton Visual Arts partners with Last Friday in Clayton for Downtown Clayton’s first Art Walk, including plein air artists creating work right here in town. That’s a good thing. Not because art magically fixes everything, but because it gives a growing town something it badly needs: more character, more color, and a reason to slow down and look around.
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