As requested by the Province of Manitoba, we report on the incidents of untreated sewer release into the environment as a result of a disruption to our wastewater collection system. These events are usually the result of something unanticipated like a water main break or a power outage. When sewer operations are disrupted, the sewage can be released into the environment, which helps protect public health and prevent property damage like basement flooding.
| Date |
Location |
Estimated
amount |
Estimated
duration |
Cause |
| Dec. 29 |
1400mm combined sewer outfall located at 455 Tache Avenue |
0.01 megalitres |
Approx. 15 minutes |
Water main break |
- At approximately 2:46 p.m. on December 29, our Wastewater Control Centre received a weir overflow alarm from the Despins Wastewater Lift Station. Our operator was alerted to higher than usual flows in the wastewater system. A stand-by maintenance crew arrived on site at 3:35 p.m. to investigate. Upon arrival, they began closing the outfall slide gate and by 3:45 it was completely closed and the overflow stopped. Our SCADA instrumentation indicates a small overflow occurred just before the slide gate was completely closed.
- While our crew was on route to the site, our control centre operator found out that there was a water main break nearby. We believe that this is what was causing the excess flow. The City’s Water Services crew completed repairs to the water main at approximately 4:50 p.m.
- Once crews determined that the water main break was under control, the outfall gate chamber was vacuumed out, the slide gate was opened at 7:21 p.m., and the system was returned to normal operation.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River is 0.01 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Friday, December 29, 2023.
|
| Nov. 30 |
700mm wastewater pipe located at 3100 Abinojii Mikanah |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Pipe leak |
- On November 29, 2023, a planned leakage test was carried out to confirm the integrity of two wastewater pipes that cross the Red River at the Fort Garry Bridge. The two pipes at this location - a 700mm HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and an 800mm HDPE - were installed on the river bottom in 1970. Test results indicated the possibility of a significant leak on the 700mm pipe.
- On the following day (November 30), we performed a video inspection. This inspection showed the 700mm pipe has defects above and below the water level, and the 800mm pipe has defects believed to be contained within the riverbank.
- To prevent further discharge, a Wastewater Services crew plugged the 700mm pipe and directed all flow to the 800mm pipe around 11:40 p.m.
- At 10 a.m. on December 1, a maintenance crew performing site inspections noticed a small amount of wastewater had discharged overnight out of the overflow pipe. We believe this was due to surcharging, caused by the closure of the 700mm pipe. We modified the operating parameters of the station and closed the overflow slide gate to avoid future discharges.
- We continue to gather information to help us determine how to best move forward with the repair or replacement of these pipes.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River due to the leak is unknown. Based on our instrumentation and daily pumping volume at the D’Arcy Station, an estimated 7 to 10 megalitres/day of wastewater may have been discharged while the 700mm pipe was leaking. The estimated volume of wastewater discharged from the overflow pipe to the Red River due to the closure of the 700mm pipe is 0.002 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line on November 30, 2023.
|
| Oct. 20 |
300 mm wastewater sewer outfall located at 25 de la Digue Avenue |
0.02 megalitres |
Approx. 1 hour and 25 minutes |
Pipe leak |
- On October 20, 2023 at 6:15 p.m., our Wastewater Control Center received a power fail alarm from the St. Norbert Wastewater Lift Station. A standby maintenance crew was dispatched to the station along with a mobile generator. While the crew was on-route, power was restored and the lift station returned to normal operation at 7:13 p.m. The crew arrived on site and closed the outfall gate at 7:40 pm to reduce any further spilling. Any wastewater that accumulated in the outfall gate chamber was removed using vacuum truck and then the outfall gate was opened.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River 0.02 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Friday, October 20, 2023.
|
| Sep. 18 |
2400 mm land drainage sewer outfall located at Park Boulevard North and the Assiniboine River |
0.03 megalitres |
Approx. 6 days and 8 hours |
Pipe leak |
- On September 24, 2023, at approximately 11 a.m., 311 received a report of "water tricking" from the boulevard on Portsmouth Boulevard. The caller stated that it had been occurring for "over a week." Water Services was notified of a possible water main break and sent a maintenance crew out to investigate.
- After some investigation, the crew determined that the source of the water was likely coming from a wastewater force-main connected to the pumping station located nearby. A stand-by wastewater maintenance crew was dispatched. Around 8 p.m., hydro excavation had begun and the leak was contained.
- Currently the leak is being contained onside as the repair is delayed by a tree located directly over the repair location. Maintenance crews are working with the City’s Forestry division to make the jobsite safe to make the repair.
- All wastewater is being contained within the excavation using vacuum cleaning equipment. No further spills are expected.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River 0.03 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Sunday, September 24, 2023.
|
| Sep. 1 |
2400 mm land drainage sewer outfall located at Park Boulevard North and the Assiniboine River |
0.03 megalitres |
Approx. 3 hours and 50 minutes |
Force main pipe leak |
- On September 1, 2023, at approximately 3:40 p.m., Wastewater Services was notified by Water Services about a suspected wastewater force main leak occurring at the intersection of Lamont Boulevard and Cuthbertson Avenue. A stand-by wastewater maintenance crew was dispatched to investigate. The crew arrived on site at 4:30 p.m. and confirmed the wastewater force main was leaking. The crew observed wastewater flowing out of the ground from the boulevard onto the road and into the land drainage system when the force main pump was operating.
- A wastewater repair crew was dispatched to the site. By 7:30 p.m., the wastewater discharge from the leaking force main was being captured and stored in a temporary pit that the repair crew had built on site to contain the discharge. The temporary pit was cleaned with vacuum trucks and the wastewater discharge to the environment had ended.
- On September 2, 2023, at approximately 2:35 p.m., the wastewater force main repairs were completed, and normal force main operation was resumed.
- Any wastewater that had accumulated on the ground or within land drainage catch basins adjacent to the intersection of Lamont Boulevard and Cutherbertson Avenue was removed with a vacuum truck.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River 0.03 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Friday, September 1, 2023.
|
| Aug. 15 |
1600 x 1450 mm combined sewer outfall located at 1 Cornish Avenue |
0.17 megalitres |
Approx. 28 minutes |
Sewer pipe blockage |
- On August 15, 2023, at 6:18 p.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received a weir overflow alarm for the Cornish Lift Station. A stand-by crew was dispatched to investigate at 6:46 p.m. and arrived on site at 7:35 p.m.
- Our instrumentation indicated that an overflow occurred from 6:18 p.m. to 6:46 p.m., however the maintenance crew was unable to determine the cause or source of excess flows. Rain gauges did not record precipitation and our Water Services branch did not have any local water main breaks on record. There was, however, an excavation happening at the intersection of Cornish Avenue and East Gate, on the main trunk sewer immediately upstream of the Cornish station.
- Further investigation determined that the excavation was made by a private contractor who was working for the City to perform sewer lining work. The work caused a temporary blockage of the pipe. When the blockage was removed, the amount of stored wastewater overwhelmed the station pumps and overflowed into the Assiniboine River. Wastewater Services is following up with the contractor and consulting engineer in an effort to prevent future occurrences.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River 0.17 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
|
| July 26 |
2100mm combined sewer outfall located at 1178A Kildonan Drive |
0.05 megalitres |
Approx. 40 minutes |
Unknown |
- On July 26, 2023, at 9:40 p.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received a weir overflow alarm from the Hawthorne Lift Station. A stand-by maintenance crew was dispatched to investigate. The overflow alarm cleared at 10:25 p.m. and the maintenance crew arrived on site at 11 p.m.
- Our instrumentation indicates that a small overflow occurred from 9:40 p.m. to 10:20 p.m., however the maintenance crew was unable to determine the cause or source of the excess flows. Rain gauges in the area did not record precipitation and there were no reports of any water main breaks in the area. At this time, the source of this excess flow is unknown.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River 0.05 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
|
| July 25 |
2400mm combined sewer outfall located at 1254 Wolseley Avenue |
0.63 megalitres |
Approx. 1 hour and 11 minutes |
Power failure |
- On July 25, 2023, at 9.29 a.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received a pump-fail alarm from the Clifton Wastewater Lift Station. A stand-by maintenance crew was dispatched to investigate and arrived at the station at 9:35 a.m. It was determined that the pumps had failed due to a partial loss of power to the station. At 10:40 a.m., the crew closed the outfall slide gate stopping the overflow. At 11:29 a.m., a mobile generator was connected to the station and both pumps returned to operation.
- At 2:38 p.m., Manitoba Hydro restored power. By 6:33 p.m., the levels in the sewer system returned to normal and the pumps in the station were once again able to keep up with incoming flows. The outfall slide gate was opened and the station returned to normal operation.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River 0.63 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
|
| July 25 |
3000mm high-level wastewater outflow outfall located at 70 Ridgedale Crescent |
0.11 megalitres |
Approx. 1 hour and 16 minutes |
Unknown |
- On July 25, 2023, at 4:24 a.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received an overflow alarm from the Ridgedale Wastewater Lift Station. A stand-by maintenance crew was dispatched to investigate, however there were many collection system issues happening at the time, due to a significant on-going wet weather event. For this reason, they did not arrive on site until 5:35 a.m.
- Upon arrival, the crew determined that both pumps were not running due to an unknown instrumentation/pump controller issue. The crew ran the pumps manually in “hand” until 7:41 a.m., at which time the station was put back into normal operation.
- The cause of the pump failure is currently unknown. The station control system will be investigated and any repairs will be completed in a timely manner.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River 0.11 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
|
| July 11 |
2100mm combined sewer overflow outfall located at 1178A Kildonan Drive |
0.4 megalitres |
Approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes |
Power failure and water main break |
- On July 11, 2023, at approximately 1:25 a.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received a power fail alarm at the Hawthorne Lift Station. A stand-by crew was dispatched and arrived on site around 2:30 a.m. The crew noticed that wastewater was discharging to the river and closed the outfall slide gate to prevent any further discharge at 2:36 a.m.
- The crew was able to restore power to the station, but they noticed that with all three pumps operating continuously at maximum capacity the wet well levels continued to rise. This was the result of a water main break occurring at Roch Street and Devon Avenue.
- The wet well levels rose to a critical level, causing the crew to open the slide gate at 4:12 a.m. to allow for a controlled discharge of diluted wastewater to the river. This release helped to avoid flooding basements in nearby properties. The slide gate was closed at 4:22 a.m., stopping the discharge to the river, once the wet well levels has fallen below the critical level.
- The crew remained at the station and monitored levels. At approximately 5 a.m., the levels in the sewer returned to normal and the pumps in the station were able to keep up with incoming flows. Any wastewater that accumulated in the outfall gate chamber was removed using a vacuum truck. The outfall slide gate was then opened.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River 0.4 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
|
| July 4 |
1800mm combined sewer overflow outfall located at 200 Syndicate Street |
0.86 megalitres |
Approx. 90 minutes total for intermittent overflows |
Firefighting |
- On July 4, 2023, at approximately 7:30 a.m., our Wastewater Control Centre operator noticed increased flow at the Syndicate Wastewater Lift Station and dispatched a crew to investigate. The crew arrived at the station at 8 a.m. and closed the outfall slide gate to prevent a discharge of wastewater to the river. The crew noted that firefighting efforts were happening nearby, at the intersection of Sutherland Avenue and Maple Street North.
- The crew noted that both pumps at the Station were operating continuously at maximum capacity, but the levels in the wet well were continuing to rise due to the increased flow in the sewer system from the firefighting efforts. When the wet well rose to a critical level, the crew decided to open the outfall slide gate to allow for a controlled discharge of wastewater to the river in order to avoid sewer backup in nearby homes and businesses. Crews continued to open and close the outfall slide gate during the course of the firefighting efforts.
- Crews monitored the wet well levels at the station for the duration for the firefighting efforts. At approximately 10:30 a.m. on July 5, the levels in the sewer system returned to normal and the pumps at the station were able to keep up with incoming flows. Any wastewater that had accumulated in the outfall gate chamber was removed using a vacuum truck. Once the chamber was cleaned, the outfall slide gate was opened.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River 0.86 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line Wednesday, July 4, 2023.
|
| June 7 |
1800mm combined sewer overflow outfall located at 200 Syndicate Street |
0.02 megalitres |
Approx. 30 minutes |
Power failure |
- On June 6, 2023, at 9:02 p.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received a power fail alarm from the Syndicate Wastewater Lift Station. A stand-by maintenance crew was dispatched to investigate and deliver a mobile generator. The crew arrived on site at 9:45 p.m. and closed the outfall slide gate, stopping the discharge, by 9:50 p.m. At 9:57 p.m., the mobile generator was hooked up and powering the station.
- We reviewed the data collected at the station and found that an overflow occurred from 9:20 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. At 11:33 p.m., power was restored to the area and the station returned to normal operation.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River 0.02 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
|
| Apr. 10 |
1800mm land drainage sewer outfall located at 53 Barker Boulevard |
0.14 megalitres |
Approx. 2 hours and 25 minutes |
Power failure |
- On April 10, 2023, at 4:16 p.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received a pump-fail alarm from the Barker Wastewater Lift Station. A stand-by maintenance crew was dispatched to investigate however due to the many ongoing collection system issues being experienced at the time caused by a significant spring snow melt, they did not arrive at the station until 6:10 p.m. Upon arrival, the crew determined that both pumps were not running due to water infiltration into the station which was causing electrical issues and an electrician was called to attend. At 7:55 p.m., the electrical malfunction had been resolved and the station was back to normal operation.
- Due to the pump failures, the local wastewater collection system backed up and overflowed into the local land drainage sewer at approximately 5:30 p.m. where it then flowed to and discharged into the Assiniboine River adjacent to the station. The overflow stopped at 7:55 p.m. when the electrical issues at the station had been resolved.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River was 0.14 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line on Monday, April 10, 2023.
|
| Mar. 30 |
1800mm combined sewer overflow outfall located at 200 Syndicate Street |
0.05 megalitres |
Approx. 30 minutes |
Fire fighting nearby and a frozen control chamber |
- On March 30, 2023, at 8:47 p.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received an overflow alarm from the Syndicate Wastewater Lift Station. A stand-by maintenance crew was dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival, the crew determined that an overflow was occurring and caused by ongoing firefighting efforts on Sutherland Avenue. The overflow began at 8:55 p.m. and stopped at 9:25 p.m.
- Upon arrival at 9:05 p.m., the maintenance crew noticed the pumps were not running due to foam inhibiting level sensor functions. The crew manually turned on both station pumps at 9:08 p.m. The maintenance crew also observed that the wastewater was being discharged to the Red River and attempted to close the outfall slide gate. The slide gate, however, could not close completely as ice had formed in the bottom of the control chamber, allowing the discharge to continue. At 9:25 p.m., the overflow stopped as the station pumps had caught up with the incoming flows.
- The ice will be removed from the outfall control structure as soon as possible.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River was 0.05 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
|
| Mar. 4 |
1800mm combined sewer overflow outfall located at 200 Syndicate Street |
0.36 megalitres |
Approx. 3 hours 47 minutes |
Fire fighting nearby and a frozen control chamber |
- On March 4, 2023, at 11:20 a.m., our Wastewater Control Center Operator noticed increased flow at the Syndicate Wastewater Lift Station. They called Water Services to see if there were any water main breaks in the area and were informed that there was an ongoing firefighting effort in the 800 block of Main Street.
- At 11:33 a.m., the Operator received a high wet-well alarm from Syndicate Station and a stand-by crew was dispatched. Upon arrival, the maintenance crew noticed that wastewater was being discharged to the Red River and attempted to close the outfall slide gate. The slide gate, however, could not close completely as ice had formed in the bottom of the control chamber, allowing wastewater to continue to discharge to the river. At 3:47 p.m., the overflow stopped as the station pumps caught up to the incoming flows and t he pumping station high wet-well alarm cleared at 4:12 p.m.
- The discharge was caused by excess flow in the system from the aforementioned firefighting. The flow exceeded the pumping capacity of Syndicate Wastewater Pumping Station and consequently overflowed to the Red River. The ice in the bottom of the outfall control structure that prevented the outfall slide gate from closing will be removed as soon as possible.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River is 0.36 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line on Saturday, March 4, 2023.
|
| Mar. 3 |
300mm wastewater sewer overflow outfall located at 25 De La Digue Avenue |
0.013 megalitres |
Approx. 32 minutes |
Power failure |
- On March 2, 2023, at 4:37 p.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received a power failure alarm from the St. Norbert Lift Station. A standby maintenance crew was immediately dispatched with a mobile generator. While the crew was on route, Manitoba Hydro had restored power and the lift station returned to normal operation a 5:09 p.m.
- Upon arrival at the site, the crews determined that an overflow was not occurring, but that the storage capacity of the wastewater system had been exceeded, causing a discharge of wastewater to the Red River during the power outage.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River is 0.013 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
|
| Feb. 27 |
2100 mm combined sewer outfall located at 1178A Kildonan Drive |
0.07 megalitres |
Approx. 1 hour 51 minutes |
Water main break |
- On February 27, 2023, at approximately 6:19 a.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received an overflow alarm from the Hawthorne Lift Station. A stand-by maintenance crew was dispatched and arrived on site at approximately 8:00 a.m. The crew closed the outfall slide gate at 8:10 a.m. effectively stopping the overflow.
- The discharge was due to a water main break near the intersection of McLeod Avenue and Rothesay Street. Water Services has controlled the leak and the Wastewater Services maintenance crew is working at this time to return the station and outfall slide gate to normal operation.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River is 0.07 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line on Monday, February 27, 2023.
|
| Feb. 14 |
2100 mm combined sewer outfall located at 1178A Kildonan Drive |
0.15 megalitres |
Approx. 54 minutes |
Hydrant leak |
- On February 14, 2023, at approximately 2:40 a.m., our Wastewater Control Centre received an overflow alarm from the Hawthorne Lift Station. A crew was dispatched and arrived on site at approximately 3:40 a.m. The overflow began at 2:50 a.m. and was due to a hydrant leak near the intersection of McLeod Avenue and Henderson Highway. Water Services controlled the leak by 3:28 a.m. A wastewater services crew closed the outfall slide gate by 3:46 a.m. and the station resumed normal operation by 4:30 a.m.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Red River is 0.15 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
|
| Jan. 13 |
1600 x 1400 mm combined sewer outfall located near 1 Cornish Avenue |
0.001 megalitres |
Approx. 20 minutes |
Sewer blockage |
- On January 12, 2023, at approximately 4:10 p.m., a City maintenance crew monitoring sewer repair work by a private contractor performing maintenance work for the City of Winnipeg noticed excessive flow in the Cornish trunk sewer. The flow overwhelmed the Cornish pumping station and subsequently overflowed to the Assiniboine River through the Cornish Combined Sewer Outfall. The discharge was stopped at 4:30 p.m.
- The private contractor had temporarily blocked the flow in the trunk sewer to perform their work. Upon completion of the repair, they released the stored wastewater at a rate that was not intended to overwhelm the Cornish Station pumps. As a precaution, the City maintenance crew had closed the outfall slide gate to prevent an overflow, should the station pumps not be able to keep up with the incoming flow. Despite these efforts, some wastewater did overflow and escape the closed slide gate. This was likely due to ice or debris leading to improper seating of the slide gate.
- The slide gate is now open, the station is back to normal operation, and the maintenance work in the Cornish trunk sewer is complete.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River is 0.001 megalitres.
- The incidents were reported to the Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks Accident Reporting line on Thursday, January 12, 2023.
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