Niagara Falls remains a sewage bypass champion

Monday, October 7, 2013

The City of Niagara Falls holds the dubious distinction of recording the most sewage bypasses in a dry 2012 and a wet first half of 2013, followed closely by its neighbour, St. Catharines

by DON STONEMAN

Last year, 2012, was one of the driest summer seasons on record in Ontario. And early 2013 was one of the wettest springs. In either weather scenario, the city of Niagara Falls and neighbouring city of St. Catharines can't shake their reputations for more sewage bypasses than anywhere else in the province.

In 2012, Niagara Falls had the worst record for bypasses with 80, followed by St. Catharines with 55. Then in the first six months of 2013, Niagara Falls pulled the plug 80 times to allow untreated sewage to flow from treatment plants within its municipal borders. St. Catharines similarly pulled its plug 56 times in the first half of 2013.

Bypasses and combined storm and sewage overflows occur during storm events when the high volume of rainwater combined with sanitary sewer outflow overwhelms the treatment plants where it is supposed to be processed. In a dry year there are fewer such events. In 2012, according to statistics supplied by the Ministry of Environment's Spills Action Centre, sewage bypasses and overflows occurred 727 times. Treatment plant operators are required by law to report these events and municipalities must also report sewage spills. There were 474 sewage spills reported in 2012, consistent with other years, notes the ministry. In the first six months of 2013, there were 814 bypass incidents recorded.

Farmers and manure applicators are also required to report spills. In 2012, farmers reported 14 manure spills in Ontario. In the first six months of 2013, 14 manure spills were reported. BF