HICKORY, N.C. — More than 6,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into Lake Hickory Monday after equipment failed at a City of Hickory pump station near the Wittenburg Access Area.

According to the City of Hickory, approximately 6,080 gallons of untreated wastewater were discharged June 29 from a pump station at 179 Wildlife Access Road in Alexander County. The wastewater entered Lake Hickory, part of the Catawba River Basin, near the Wittenburg Access Area, which is operated by Duke Energy.

City officials said the discharge was caused by a pump station equipment failure. The equipment has since been repaired, and the pump station is now operating normally.

North Carolina law requires public notification whenever 1,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater reaches surface waters.

As a precaution, Wittenburg Swim Beach has been temporarily closed while water quality samples are collected and analyzed. Officials have not announced any broader closures or restrictions for the remainder of Lake Hickory.

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources has been notified of the spill and is reviewing the incident. Anyone with questions can contact the City of Hickory Public Utilities Department at 828-323-7500.