CHARLOTTE — More than 40,000 gallons of partially-treated sewage has reached a creek in Charlotte.

The sewage reached Sugar Creek early Tuesday.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities said the sewage from the Sugar Creek wastewater plant had gone through all treatment stages except disinfection. It is not regarded as a sewage spill under state law.

The utility says debris blocked a transmitter that monitors wastewater flow, turning off a disinfection system.

The plant treats about 13 million gallons a day.