Local

Residents say Stewart Creek area contaminated with sewage

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — "To us this feels like it could be an epidemic," said Tammy Hill.

After heavy rains caused flooding in her neighborhood in July, Hill said the creek is now contaminated with sewage and she is frustrated.

"When the wind blows, it hits you right there in the nose," said Hill, "Who wants to smell raw sewage?"

As a lifelong resident along Stewart Creek in Northwest Charlotte, she wants to know what the city is doing to clean up the watersheds around her neighborhood.

"We are asking for creek restoration, a marsh system, we are asking to reduce flooding, and to reduce pollution," said Hill.

"We continue to do water quality monitoring," said Sharon Foote with Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Water Services.

Officials told Eyewitness News that all of Charlotte's creeks have some form of fecal coliform bacteria contamination, whether it is from pets or an undetected sewer pipe break.

"However we do not have an effective way to prevent those problems such as pet waste or wild animal waste from getting into our creek," said Foote.

While city and county staff from multiple departments work directly with these residents to address the issues raised, residents like Hill say they still have questions of their own.

"What is this causing? What kinds of problems will we have down the road with his?" said Hill.

Eyewitness News learned on Saturday night that a staff report on recent city involvement in the Stewart Creek area is expected to be provided in October.