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 |
| December 19 |
Burrows Wastewater Pumping Station located at 2080 Burrows Avenue |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Damaged force main |
- On December 19, 2016, a contractor working at the Burrows Wastewater Pumping station completed a soft dig excavation to push a temporary by pass pump electrical cable conduit from the Burrows station to the force main discharge manhole.
- The contractor observed wastewater seeping into their excavation. Our staff arrived on site and observed that when the Burrows station wastewater pump started, it appeared that the leak discharge into the excavation increased then drained back into the force main from the excavation when the pump shut off. It is assumed that the 250 mm force main is damaged.
- The repairs to the force main were completed on the afternoon of December 22, 2016 and the Burrows Pump station was subsequently returned to service.
- We will be inspecting the site over the next few days to ensure there are no further issues with the force main.
- Wastewater from the break is contained within the contractor's excavation.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Monday, December 19, 2016
|
| December 19 |
Burrows Wastewater Pumping Station located at 2080 Burrows Avenue |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Damaged force main |
- On December 19, 2016, a contractor working at the Burrows Wastewater Pumping station completed a soft dig excavation to push a temporary by pass pump electrical cable conduit from the Burrows station to the force main discharge manhole.
- The contractor observed wastewater seeping into their excavation. Our staff arrived on site and observed that when the Burrows station wastewater pump started, it appeared that the leak discharge into the excavation increased then drained back into the force main from the excavation when the pump shut off. It is assumed that the 250 mm force main is damaged.
- The repairs to the force main were completed on the afternoon of December 22, 2016 and the Burrows Pump station was subsequently returned to service.
- We will be inspecting the site over the next few days to ensure there are no further issues with the force main.
- Wastewater from the break is contained within the contractor's excavation.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Monday, December 19, 2016
|
| December 18 |
Woodhaven Combined Sewer Outfall located at 2782 Assiniboine Avenue |
0.009 megalitres |
Approx. 35 minutes |
Power Failure |
- On Sunday, December 18, 2016, at approximately 5:11 PM, the Control Centre received a high wet well alarm from the Woodhaven Wastewater Pumping Station.
- A standby crew arrived at the Woodhaven station at 6:15 PM and determined that there was a Manitoba Hydro power failure in the area.
- An Electrician was called in to connect a mobile generator and pumps were operational by 7:43 PM. Normal power was restored to the Woodhaven Station at approximately 8:58 PM and the wastewater pumps were back in normal operation.
- In reviewing instrumentation, the duration of the overflow from the Woodhaven outfall was from approximately 6:04 PM to 7:04 PM and 7:28 PM to 7:43 PM.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Sunday December 18, 2016
|
| December 16 |
Hart Combined Sewer Outfall located at 1 Hart Avenue |
0.03 megalitres |
Approx. 75 minutes |
Pump Failure |
- On Friday, December 16, 2016 at approximately 3:34 PM, the Control Centre received a “pump #1 fail” alarm” from the Hart Wastewater Pumping Station. At 3:40 pm, the Control Centre received a “weir overflow” alarm from that same station.
- A crew attended the Hart Station at approximately 4:05 PM and determined that the Pump #1 was not operating. Several attempts to start Pump # 1 were tried, but Pump #1 continued to “kick out”.
- The Electrical and Instrumentation Branch staff arrived at 4:10 PM and determined a faulty circuit and its loose connection caused the pump to continually kick out. The positive gate was closed by approximately 4:15 PM to contain the discharge. Pump #1 was back on line by 4:25 PM.
- The second pump at this location could not be used, as it was taken out of service for maintenance on December 1, 2016.
- Duration of the overflow from the Hart outfall was from approximately 3:40 PM to 4:15 PM.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Friday December 16, 2016.
|
| December 16 |
La Verendrye Combined Sewer Outfall located at 745 Tache Avenue |
0.03 megalitres |
Approx. 1 hour |
Under investigation |
- On Friday, December 16, 2016 at approximately 11:14 AM, McPhillips Control Centre Operator received an “overflow” alarm from the La Verendrye Outfall CSO Monitoring Equipment. At this time a Private Contractor was performing a trial test for by-pass pumping related to a construction project at the Dumoulin Pumping Station located at 691 Tache Avenue, they had temporarily raised the weir height at La Verendrye Outfall and the high levels were expected.
- At 11:45 AM the Control Centre Operator became concerned that an overflow may be occurring due to other CSO instruments indicating that an overflow may be occurring and dispatched a maintenance crew to investigate.
- A crew attended the site at approximately 11:59 AM, determined that an overflow was occurring and contained the overflow at 12:15 PM by closing the positive gate on the outfall. The Contractor was instructed to stop the by-pass pumping test at Dumoulin, a vacuum cleaning unit was called in to clear any wastewater between the weir and the positive gate and normal operation was achieved by 4:00 PM.
- A meeting was held between Wastewater Operations, the Engineering Division and the Contractor on Monday December 19th. It is not clear how wastewater by-passed the Contractors flow control methods and further investigations are under way to determine the cause of the overflow.
- Upon further investigation, it was determined that the existing diversion weir had failed and was determined to be the cause of the overflow. As of January 4, 2017, this weir, located at the “overflow point”, has now been reconstructed.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Friday December 16, 2016.
|
| December 10 |
Hart Combined Sewer Outfall located at 1 Hart Avenue |
0.16 megalitres |
Approx. 5 hours |
Blocked pump |
- On Saturday, December 10, 2016 at approximately 11:30 AM, the McPhillips Control Centre Operator received an "overflow" alarm from the Hart Wastewater Pumping Station.
- A crew attended the Hart Station at approximately 12:30 PM and determined that the Pump-1 was not operating at full capacity.
- Hart Pump-2 had been taken out of service for maintenance on December 1, 2016 and since there was no backup pump the crew decided to call in a vacuum pumping unit to assist with station flow while Pump-1 was inspected for a blockage. The vacuum unit began to pump down the wet well at 2:30 PM, the pump was unplugged by 3:55 PM and the overflow alarm cleared at 4:20 PM.
- The material found blocking the pump was resin from an upstream sewer lining project. The contractor responsible for this work has been contacted and we intend to further review possible solutions to prevent this sort of occurrence from happening in the future.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Saturday December 10, 2016.
|
| September 30 |
Mission Combined Sewer Outfall located at 91 Archibald Street |
0.32 megalitres |
Approx. 1 hour |
Breaker failure |
- On Friday, September 30, 2016 at approximately 10:58 AM, the McPhillips Control Centre Operator received a "low air" alarm from the Montcalm Wastewater Pumping Station.
- A crew attended the Montcalm Station at approximately 11:40 AM and determined that the compressor for the pump level control system was not working.
- Electrical and Instrumentation personnel were then called to the Montcalm Station and determined the cause of the alarm was due to a breaker failure. They repaired the breaker to the compressor and the station was functional by 12:27 PM.
- The Montcalm Pumping Station services both the Roland and Mission Combined Sewer Districts which have outfalls at 16 Watt Street and 91 Archibald Street respectively. When the compressor failure occurred wastewater built up and eventually overflowed at the Mission outfall only from 11:33 AM to 12:28 PM.
- The estimated total amount of wastewater discharged to the Seine River is 0.32 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Friday, September 30, 2016.
|
| September 26 |
The Land Drainage Outfall, also known as the Bibeau Drain, located in the Windsor Park Golf Course at 1201 Archibald Street |
0.10 megalitres and 0.30 megalitres |
Approx. 9 hours |
Pump control system failure |
- On Monday September 26, 2016, at approximately 12:23 AM, McPhillips Control Centre received an alarm at the Windsor Park Lift Station indicating that the storm pump was running.
- As there was rain on and off during the day the operator decided to monitor the situation and at 2:15 AM decided to call a stand-by crew to investigate after observing erratic behavior of all pumps at the station.
- A crew attended the station and determined that the pump level control was malfunctioning and called in an instrument technician at 3:05 AM. The pump level control was replaced and the station was put back in normal operation by 9:00 AM. SCADA will continue to closely monitor this location to ensure that the repairs made were effective.
- Under normal station operation the storm pump will only run during high wet well levels caused by extreme wet weather events where there is a threat of basement flooding. The rain event of September 25 did not have the intensity on its own to trigger the storm pump operation.
- The total amount of the discharge as a result of the pump control system failure is estimated to be between 0.10 megalitres and 0.30 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Monday, September 26, 2016.
|
| September 4 |
Mission Combined Sewer Outfall (Seine River) at 91 Archibald Street and Roland Combined Sewer Outfall (Red River) at 16 Watt Street |
Unknown |
Approx. 5 hours |
Pump motor failure |
- On Sunday September 4, 2016, at approximately 9:46 AM, McPhillips Control Centre received a number four pump fail alarm from the Montcalm Wastewater Pumping Station.
- A crew attended the Montcalm Station at approximately 10:25 AM and determined that they had an electrical issue with the pump.
- Electrical and Instrumentation personnel were then called to the Montcalm Station and determined the cause of the pump fail alarm to be that the pump motor windings had shorted out, causing the motor to be disabled. The motor is being repaired.
- The Montcalm Pumping Station services both Roland and Mission Combined Sewer Districts, which have outfalls at 16 Watt Street and 91 Archibald Street respectively.
- At the time of the pump failure alarm, instrumentation indicated that an overflow was already occurring, starting at 9:36 AM at the Roland Combined Sewer Outfall and at 9:55 AM at the Mission Combined Sewer Outfall, due to a rain event that day.
- Duration of the discharge resulting from the number four pump motor failure is estimated to be from 9:46 AM to 2:45 PM.
- Estimated total amount of wastewater discharged to the Seine and Red River due to the number four pump motor failure is unknown.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Sunday September 4, 2016.
|
| August 29 |
Aubrey Storm Relief Sewer Outfall located at 1020 Palmerston Avenue |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Partially blocked combined sewer and broken overflow weir |
- On Monday August 29 at 4:00 PM, a crew performing planned inspections of overflow points into the Aubrey Storm Relief Sewer (SRS) encountered a partially blocked combined sewer and broken overflow weir opposite 1095 Garfield Street. The blockage caused wastewater to accumulate and overflow into an SRS pipe, which flows south to the Aubrey SRS Outfall at the Assiniboine River. A vacuum cleaning unit was dispatched, the Garfield sewer was cleaned and the overflow had stopped by 5:15 PM. A second crew was later dispatched to temporarily repair the weir at this location.
- Under normal operation, wastewater flows from the Garfield Street combined sewer south to the Aubrey Wastewater Pumping Station, and then northward to the North End Sewage Treatment Plant. Wet weather flow during rain events is allowed to overflow into the Aubrey SRS and eventually to the Assiniboine River. In this case, not all wastewater generated on Garfield Street south of Yarwood Avenue (one block) was directed to the treatment facility and subsequently was discharged to the river.
- This location will now be further reviewed and appropriate corrective action will be taken to limit similar occurrences from happening in the future.
- The duration of the overflow is unknown and the flow into the Aubrey SRS was described as a “trickling” over the weir.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Monday, August 29, 2016.
|
| August 24 |
Spence Storm Relief Sewer Outfall located in the Spence Street R.O.W. at the Assiniboine River |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Partially blocked combined sewer |
- On Wednesday August 24 at 10:00 AM, a crew performing planned inspections of overflow points into the Spence Storm Relief Sewer (SRS) encountered a partially blocked combined sewer on Sherbrook Street between Wolseley and Cornish. The blockage caused wastewater to accumulate and overflow into an SRS pipe, which flows northeast to the Spence SRS Outfall at the Assiniboine River. A vacuum cleaning unit was dispatched, the sewer was cleaned, and the overflow had stopped by 1:00 PM.
- Under normal operation, wastewater flows from the Sherbrook Street combined sewer to the Colony Diversion, and then northward to the North End Sewage Treatment Plant. Wet weather flow during rain events is allowed to overflow into the Sherbrook SRS and eventually to the Assiniboine River. In this case, not all wastewater generated on Sherbrook Street south of Wolseley Avenue (one block) was directed to the treatment facility and subsequently was discharged to the river.
- This location will now be further reviewed and appropriate corrective action will be taken, if required, to prevent similar occurrences from happening in the future.
The duration of the overflow is unknown and the flow into the Sherbrook SRS was described as a “dripping or splashing” over the weir.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Wednesday, August 24, 2016.
|
| August 15 |
Mayfair Combined Sewer Outfall located at 105 Mayfair Avenue |
2.25 megalitres |
2 hours 58 minutes |
Power failure |
- Shortly after the rain event occurring on Monday, August 15, 2016, at approximately 9:00 p.m., our McPhillips Control Centre Operator received a power failure alarm from the Mayfair Wastewater Pumping Station. A crew attended the Mayfair Station at approximately 9:15 p.m. and determined that there was a Manitoba Hydro power failure in the area. The crew decided not to operate the positive gate to contain the overflow due to the risk of basement flooding from the high flows in the system caused by the recent rain event. Power was restored to the station at approximately 12:13 a.m. Tuesday, August 16, 2016.
- The total amount of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River as a result of the power failure is estimated to be approximately 2.25 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Monday, August 15, 2016.
|
| August 14 |
Despins Combined Sewer Outfall located at 465 Tache Avenue |
0.23 megalitres |
Unknown |
Watermain break |
- On Sunday, August 14, 2016 at approximately 4:05 a.m. our SCADA operator received a Weir Overflow Alarm at the Despins Wastewater Pumping Station. A standby crew was dispatched and arrived on site at approximately 4:55 a.m. They determined that the station was no longer overflowing and that the likely cause was a watermain break, which had recently occurred in the area at Rue Langevin and Dollard Boulevard and was being addressed by Water Services personnel.
- The volume of wastewater discharged to the environment is estimated to be 0.23 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Tuesday, August 23, 2016.
- The incident was not reported on the day of the event, as required by clause 5 of Environment Act License No. 2684 RRR, due to operator error. The cause of the error is currently being investigated and corrective actions will be implemented in a timely manner.
|
| August 2 |
Woodhaven Combined Sewer Outfall at 2782 Assiniboine Avenue |
0.07 megalitres |
4 hours |
Power failure |
- On Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at approximately 10:45 p.m., our McPhillips Control Centre Operator received a power failure alarm from the Woodhaven Wastewater Pumping Station. A standby crew member arrived at the Woodhaven station at 11:20 p.m. and another standby crew member arrived at 12:30 a.m. with a mobile generator to connect to the station to provide temporary power. The mobile generator was unable to start due to a malfunction, therefore a standby crew member returned to the McPhillips Control Centre to retrieve a second mobile generator. By the time the second mobile generator arrived at the Woodhaven station, power was restored and the wastewater pumps were back in normal operation.
- In reviewing our CSO instrumentation, at the time of the power failure, the duration of the overflow from the Woodhaven outfall was from approximately 10:45 p.m., August 3, 2016 to 2:45 a.m., August 4, 2016.
- The total amount of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River as a result of the power failure is estimated to be approximately 0.07 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday August 4, 2016.
|
| August 1 |
Dumoulin Combined Sewer Outfall at 691 Tache Avenue and the La Verendrye Combined Sewer Outfall located at 745 Tache Avenue |
0.09 megalitres |
1 hour 43 minutes |
Power failure |
- During the major rain event occurring on Monday, August 1, 2016, at approximately 3:47 p.m., our McPhillips Control Centre Operator received a power failure alarm from the Dumoulin Wastewater Pumping Station. A crew attended the Dumoulin Station at approximately 5:10 p.m. and a mobile generator was connected to the station to provide temporary power by 5:30 p.m. Normal power was restored to the Dumoulin Station at approximately 9:15 PM and the wastewater pumps were back in normal operation.
- The Dumoulin Wastewater Pumping station services the Dumoulin and La Verendrye Sewer Districts which have outfalls at 691 Tache Avenue and 745 Tache Avenue respectively. At the time of the power failure, CSO instrumentation indicated that the duration of the overflow from both the Dumoulin and La Verendrye outfalls was from approximately 3:47 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- The total amount of wastewater discharged to the Red River as a result of the power failure, from both outfalls, is estimated to be approximately 0.09 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Tuesday, August 2, 2016.
|
| July 29 |
Olive combined sewer outfall at 2461 Assiniboine Crescent |
0.03 megalitres |
1 hour 42 minutes |
Debris in pumps |
- On Friday July 29, 2016 at 11:18 a.m., our McPhillips Control Center Operator received a weir overflow alarm from the Olive Wastewater Pumping Station. A crew was dispatched and arrived on site at 11:45 a.m. and determined all lift pumps were clogged with debris. The crew removed debris from the pumps over a five hour period due to the pumps becoming clogged again once they were put back online.
- Our CSO instrumentation indicated that wastewater overflowed intermittently to the Assiniboine River from approximately 11:18 a.m. to 12:28 p.m. and 1:05 p.m. to 1:37 p.m.
- The estimated volume of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River is estimated to be approximately 0.03 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to the Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Friday, July 29, 2016.
|
| July 29 |
Strathmillan combined sewer outfall at 2396 Portage Avenue |
1.05 megalitres |
4 hours 32 minutes |
Clogging issue in a downstream pumping station |
- On Friday, July 29, 2016 at 11:50 a.m. our McPhillips Control Center Operator received a weir overflow alarm from the Strathmillan Wastewater Diversion station. The alarm was caused by the downstream Olive Wastewater Pumping Station experiencing pump clogging issues. This resulted in the 600 mm interceptor sewer between Strathmillan Diversion station and Olive Wastewater Pumping station becoming surcharged and causing an overflow. Once the pump clogging issues were resolved at the Olive Wastewater Pumping station, the weir overflow alarm cleared and normal flow was restored in the interceptor sewer.
- Our CSO instrumentation indicated that the duration of the overflow was from approximately 11:50 a.m. to 4:22 p.m. and the total volume of wastewater discharged to the Assiniboine River is estimated to be approximately 1.05 megalitres.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Friday, July 29, 2016.
|
| July 20 |
Projection of Wildwood Street and North Drive |
2.1 megalitres |
Unknown |
Power failure |
- A power failure occurred at the Willow Station (25 Netley Street) at 8:40 PM, July 20 and continued until 8:20 AM, July 21. This station is designed to overflow to the Red River once the levels in the sewer reach the geodetic elevation of 225.29m.
- Due to high river levels on the Red River our Flood Manual had previously called for the positioning of a mobile pump at the overflow location on North Drive and to activate the pump when levels reach the overflow elevation if the pump station becomes overwhelmed due to a rain event.
- Due to the power outage, communication to the station instruments was limited. A standby crew, sent to the site, monitored levels in the pump out manhole and ran the mobile pump for a collective five hours during the eleven hours and forty minutes the station was without power.
- The total volume of wastewater discharged Red River is estimated to be 2.1 megalitres.
- This incident was reported to the Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, July 21, 2016.
|
| July 20 |
Mager Drive Combined Lift Station |
0.6 megalitres |
58 minutes |
Power Failure |
- A power failure occurred at the Mager Drive station between 8:26 PM and 8:46 PM, July 20. Upon reviewing our instrumentation, it is estimated that an overflow occurred at this location approximately between the hours of 8:31 PM and 9:29 PM.
- Whether or not there would have been a naturally occurring combined sewer overflow due to the significant rain event occurring at this time is not known.
- The total volume of wastewater discharged Red River at this location which is attributed to the power failure is estimated to be 0.6 megalitres
- This incident was reported to the Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, July 21, 2016.
|
| July 20 |
Conway Combined Lift Station |
0.0017 megalitres |
1h 08 minutes |
Power Failure |
- A power failure occurred at the Conway Street station between 8:26 PM and 8:30 PM, July 20.
- Upon reviewing our instrumentation, it is believed that an overflow was already occurring at this time due to the rain event and lasted from 8:22 PM to 9:30 PM.
- The total volume of wastewater discharged Assiniboine River at this location which is attributed to the power failure is estimated to be 0.017 megalitres.
- This incident was reported to the Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, July 21, 2016.
|
| July 20 |
Community ROW Wastewater Lift Station |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Power Failure |
- A power failure occurred at the Community ROW station between 1:52 AM and 3:30 AM, July 21. When the power resumed at 3:30 AM we received an overflow alarm for this location and the alarm cleared at 4:22 AM.
- It is not known if in fact an overflow occurred; the alarms are set below overflow elevation so as to give crews time to respond.
- According to our sewer system model this location has two hours and twenty minutes (2:20) of storage time for average dry weather flow and the power outage lasted for one hour and thirty eight minutes (1:38).
- This incident was reported to the Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, July 21, 2016.
|
| July 20 |
Linden Avenue Combined Lift Station |
1.05 megalitres |
5h 36min |
Power failure |
- A power failure occurred at the Linden Avenue station between 8:29 PM, July 20 and 3:30 AM, July 21 however, we were able to connect a mobile generator at 12:08 AM July 21 restoring power to both lift pumps.
- Upon reviewing our instrumentation, it is estimated that an overflow occurred at this location approximately between the hours of 8:54 PM, July 20 and 2:30 AM, July 21.
- Whether or not there would have been a naturally occurring combined sewer overflow due to the rainfall during this time is not known.
- The total volume of wastewater discharged Red River at this location which is attributed to the power failure is estimated to be 1.05 megalitres.
|
| July 7 |
Near the intersection of Sutherland Avenue and Aikins Street |
4.0 cubic metres |
75 minutes |
Operator error |
- On Thursday, July 7, 2016 a vacuum cleaning unit (Vactor) disposed of its contents on to the street in front of two catch basins on Sutherland Street just west of Aikins Street.
- The Vactor had wastewater inside the debris box from cleaning a sewer.
- The wastewater flowed from the street into the adjacent catch basins and then into the Sutherland combined sewer which would eventually flow to the North End Wastewater Pollution Control Centre.
- Wastewater did not enter the land drainage system or any local body of water. However, it did pond on the street surrounding the catch basins as well as drain into the catch basins.
- The spill occurred at 4:15 PM and was cleaned up by 5:30 PM.
- The cause of the spill was operator error. The incident is currently being reviewed and corrective actions will be taken in a timely manner.
- The volume of wastewater discharged to the environment before draining into the combined sewer is approximately 4.0 cubic metres.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, July 7, 2016.
|
| June 30 |
Ash Wastewater Sewer Outfall located at 1057 Wellington Crescent |
0.70 megalitres |
70 minutes |
Pump Control Failure |
- At 8:35 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, our SCADA Control Center Operator received a power failure alarm from the Ash Wastewater Pumping Station. A maintenance crew was dispatched and arrived on site at 9:18 p.m. It was quickly determined that all three pumps were being called to duty at the same time and tripping the main breaker. The Ash Station electrical system is designed for only two of the three pumps to operate concurrently. One of the pumps was locked out and the station was back in service at 9:21 p.m.
- Three pumps were called to duty due to a rainfall event occurring at the same time. When power was restored, CSO instrumentation indicated that an overflow to the river was occurring and continued until approximately 9:53 p.m. (32 minutes). The duration and volume of the overflow is estimated to be from 8:45 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. and 0.70 megalitres, respectively.
- City staff are investigating the cause of the pump control failure and permanent repairs will be made. Until then one pump will remain locked out.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, June 30, 2016.
|
| June 9 |
Lindsay Storm Relief Sewer Outfall |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Partially blocked combined sewer |
- On Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. a crew was performing planned inspections of overflow points into the Lindsay Storm Relief Sewer (SRS).
- They encountered a partially blocked combined sewer on Borebank Street, north of Kingsway. The blockage caused wastewater to accumulate and overflow into the Kingsway SRS, which flows west to the Lindsday SRS and then north to the Assiniboine River. A vacuum cleaning unit was dispatched and the sewer was cleaned and overflow stopped by 3:10 p.m.
- Normally, wastewater flows from the Borebank Street combined sewer to the Ash pumping station and eventually to the North End Water Pollution Control Centre. Wet weather flow during rain events is allowed to overflow into the Kingsway SRS and eventually to the Assiniboine River. In this case, not all wastewater generated on Borebank Street between Grosvenor Avenue and Kingsway (one block) was directed to the treatment facility and subsequently was discharged to the river.
- The duration of the overflow is currently unknown and the flow into the Kingsway SRS was described as “trickling.”
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, June 9, 2016.
|
| May 18 |
St. Charles Lift Station, located at 435 Sansome Avenue |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Sewer main break |
- During routine preventative maintenance checks, our staff noticed ponding on the ground surface near the St. Charles Lift Station on May 18.
- The crew quickly determined that the ponding was as a result of a break in the 150mm force main. An excavation crew was dispatched.
- The excavation crew arrived and repaired the break. The lift station was shut off during this repair.
- As staff monitored the station and the repair, a second break was observed. Wastewater levels were approaching critical elevations, so the station remained in operation to minimize the risk of basement flooding.
- On May 19, the station was shut down again to accommodate the second repair.
- We will remove any contaminated sod and soil. The area that was saturated with wastewater measured approximately 100 square meters.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, May 19, 2016.
|
| Apr. 28 |
2100 mm Hawthorne combined sewer outfall located at 1178A Kildonan Drive |
0.18 megalitres |
Approximately 1 hour |
Water main break |
- Our employee received an overflow alarm from our Hawthorne station.
- A crew was dispatched and arrived at 5:13 a.m. They closed the gate at 5:30 to prevent further discharge to the river.
- A water main break on Oakland Avenue was found. This was contributing to excess flow to the sewer system. After reviewing data in our system, we determined that the discharge occurred for about an hour.
- The water main break was addressed and our crews returned the Hawthorne Station back to normal operation around 8:30 a.m.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday April 28, 2016.
|
| Feb. 10 |
2400mm combined outfall located at 530 Henderson Hwy |
0.50 megalitres |
Approximately 2 hours |
Water main break |
- Our employee noticed that there appeared to be an increase in flow at the Munroe Diversion Station between 5:20 a.m. and 7:10 a.m.
- A crew was dispatched and attended the site at 10:30 a.m. They determined that an overflow had happened earlier but was no longer occurring.
- The extra flow was likely caused by a water main break that was reported to have occurred between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
- Under normal operation, this diversion chamber will direct dry weather flow to the treatment facility. In this case, not all flow was directed to the treatment facility and was discharged to the river.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Wednesday, February 10, 2016
|
| Jan. 20 |
1350 mm combined sewer outfall located at 60 Main Street |
0.002 megalitres |
Unknown |
Groundwater infiltration |
- On Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. the Department received an inquiry regarding a flow of clear water at the Assiniboine outfall. A crew attended the site and determined that there was no sign that a discharge occurred.
- Our instrumentation at the weir indicates that wastewater did not rise above the weir and overflow to the river. Instrumentation downstream from the weir indicated a gradual buildup of water and release to the river, which we suspect to be cause by groundwater infiltration.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, January 21, 2016.
|
| Jan. 20 |
900mm Strathmillan combined sewer outfall located at 2396 Portage Avenue |
Approximately 60 litres |
Approximately 15 minutes |
Leak during construction work |
- On Wednesday, January 20, 2016 a private contractor working for the City was installing a temporary weir in the Strathmillan outfall chamber. The weir was being installed to contain possible overflows generated by the Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg – 17 Wing wastewater treatment plant pumping station.
- Under normal operation, 17 Wing discharges to the Assiniboine River downstream of our collection system. However, due to a mechanical breakdown at their treatment plant, they have been discharging to the City’s system recently.
- In addition, this discharge point is upstream of the Olive Wastewater Pumping Station which is currently offline for retrofitting. The Contractor has by-pass pumping in place. However, the amount discharged from 17 Wing temporarily overloads this system and backs up into the Strathmillan system.
- Prior to installing the temporary weir, 17 Wing was asked to pump down their system and as an additional precaution the Strathmillan positive gate was closed to contain any possible spills.
- During the weir construction, the operator checked the downstream side of the gate and noticed a leak which he described as “a faucet tap ¼ open.” When the flows subsided the chamber was pumped out and the installation of the weir was completed.
- The leak occurred between 12:30 and 12:45 on Wednesday, January 20, 2016.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, January 21, 2016.
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| Jan. 10 - 19 |
2900mm combined sewer outfall located in St.John’s Park at 1 Fowler Street |
5.0 megalitres |
Approximately 9 days |
Blockage in collection system |
- At 10:23 a.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, the department received an inquiry regarding a “strong sewage smell” at the St.John’s outfall.
- A crew attended the site and found a partial blockage at the opening of the diversion chamber located upstream of the outfall and opposite 15 St. John’s Avenue. The blockage was caused by large pieces of lumber. The lumber was removed at 1:35 p.m, restoring full flow through the diversion chamber.
- Under normal operation this diversion chamber will direct dry weather flow to the treatment facility and allow wet weather flow during rain events to overflow to the river. In this instance, not all flow was directed to the treatment facility and subsequently was discharged to the river.
- An overflow alarm was not triggered, as the alarms are configured to detect blockages within the diversion chambers, not the opening of the chambers.
- Analysis of historical values for newly installed instrumentation at this location have indicated that the blockage may have been in place since 12:00 p.m. on January 10, 2016.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Tuesday, January 19, 2016.
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| Jan. 14 |
900mm Strathmillan combined sewer outfall located at 2396 Portage Avenue |
0.09 megalitres |
28 minutes |
Pump Failure caused by Maintenance Work |
- At 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2016 an operator at our McPhillips Control Centre observed that our instrumentation was indicating an increase of flow levels in the sewer pipe at Strathmillan. At 4:50 p.m. our instrumentation indicated that the Strathmillan Inclination Overflow alarm had triggered.
- A private contractor was performing work at the Olive station that required the shutdown of station pumps and the installation of temporary bypass pumping. During the testing of the two temporary bypass pumps, the first duty pump failed to start as a result of a pump overload failure and the start point of the second duty pump had not been reached, which resulted in a wastewater discharge at Strathmillan.
- The contractor is currently investigating what caused the overload failure and will be reviewing the pump duty start points.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, January 14, 2016.
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| Jan. 14 |
Hawthorne combined sewer relief outfall at 1178A Kildonan Drive |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Unknown |
- At approximately 11:45 a.m., the McPhillips Control Centre observed unusual readings at the lift station indicating that an overflow was possibly occurring.
- A private Contractor has been performing work on the station that requires altering the flow of wastewater through the station. The Contractor on site did not observe an overflow occurring.
- A crew attended and could see no evidence of an overflow.
- There was melted snow and ice where the outfall meets the river, indicating that an overflow may have occurred.
- The cause of the overflow is still under investigation.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Thursday, January 14, 2016.
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| Jan. 3 |
Baltimore Station combined sewer outfall located at 250 Churchill Drive |
0.01 megalitres |
30 minutes |
Water main break |
- At 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2016 an alarm from the Baltimore Wastewater Pumping Station was received at our McPhillips Control Centre. The alarm indicated that there was a communication problem and the wastewater pumps were not running and an overflow was occurring.
- Crews arrived on-site at approximately 11:45 a.m. They operated the pumps in manual mode to draw down the system and stop the overflow.
- The crews identified an instrumentation problem and called in a technician. The technician corrected the problem by 12:45 p.m. allowing the alarm to be cleared and pumps to be returned to normal operation.
- The incident was reported to Manitoba Conservation Accident Reporting line on Sunday, January 3, 2016.
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