Sewage spill into Red continues after repair attempt

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This article was published 15/02/2024 (569 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A major sewage spill that has now dumped 175 million litres of untreated sewage into the Red River continues, despite an initial repair.

City of Winnipeg officials initially thought the spill ended when part of a wastewater bypass system began operating at the Fort Garry Bridge site Wednesday evening. However, a further leak was later detected.

“The bypass pumping system experienced mechanical issues overnight, resulting in more sewage spilling into the river. Crews were dispatched and continue to work to resolve the issue,” said spokesman Kalen Qually, in an emailed statement.

City reports show the leak at the 3100 Abinojii Mikanah (formerly Bishop Grandin Boulevard) outfall and river crossing pipe discharged the sewage between roughly 9 a.m. Feb. 7 and 12 a.m. Thursday.

The size of the spill has not been updated since that point.

The reports note one of two bypass pipes operated from 6:50 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, when it had to be turned off due to mechanical problems.

“The mechanical problems that affected the bypass pump are still being investigated to determine the cause. The contractor continues to expedite the completion of the bypass pumping station,” according to a city report released Thursday afternoon.

When the city believed the issue had been fixed, it noted a long-term construction effort would still continue for some time.

“The bypass piping will be there for an extended period — likely well into 2025 — while we work on replacing the permanent pipes that cross under the river. We will be actively monitoring the new bypass system,” wrote Qually.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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