SIMPSON — When more than 16 inches of rain fell in Pitt County earlier this month, the Village of Simpson was forced to shut down its town offices for the week.

The problem wasn't flooded streets; it was a backed-up toilet.

Like every other occupied structure in the community of 475, the town hall has a septic tank. And when a heavy rain saturates the ground, the septic tank malfunctions, and the toilet doesn't work.

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