The invisible problem flushing $1.4 million down the drain each year in London
Almost half of the water flowing into sewage treatment plants is being treated unnecessarily.
Dubbed “unwanted water” in a new report to city hall’s Civic Works Committee, stormwater that enters the sewer system is driving up treatment costs, flooding basements, and polluting the Thames River.
City engineers estimate that stormwater now constitutes 44 per cent of the volume in London’s sewers and pollution control plants.
The report suggests an investigation is needed to locate where stormwater is entering the wastewater system and develop solutions.
“The goals of (the) strategy are to both reduce the risk of basement flooding and reduce and eliminate sewage bypasses and overflows (into the river),” reads the report.
Sources of “unwanted water” include:
- Illegal Connections (1980-2021)
- Aging Pipes
- Weeping Tile & Downspout Connections
- Combined Sewers
“We know there is lots of raw sewage going into the Thames River during these extreme weather events,” explains Skylar Franke of the London Environmental Network. “So where is it coming from? I think it’s great that city staff are trying to figure this out and address it.”
The unwanted water increases the volumes treated at London’s pollution control plants, adding an estimated $1 million to operating costs each year.
It also adds about $400,000 to the utility costs to operate sewage pumping stations across the city.
Unwanted water takes a toll on many homeowners as well.
“It was 14 inches of water in the basement,” Mary Pilon recalls a severe sewage backup in her basement many years ago that destroyed precious items. “Going through your stuff to determine what has value is really hard. We lost out big time.”
Reducing the amount of stormwater infiltrating the sanitary sewer network of pipes will restore capacity and reduce backups into basements.
After their investigation determines the sources of unwanted water, city engineers will submit a business case to the next multi-year budget.
A table showing unwanted water treated as a percentage of total wastewater volume. (Source: City of London)Franke, who has used a municipal program to secure her own basement from sewage incursions, believes incentives for homeowners will be a crucial component of the strategy.
“A lot of people don’t know that their weeping tiles may be connected into the sewer system, so once they figure it out, being able to provide support with financial incentives is a great motivator to disconnect them,” she said.
Pilon subsequently installed a backflow preventer and sump pump, and finally sleeps soundly on rainy nights.
“You don’t sleep, you tend to go down to the basement to check if it’s raining heavily. Not that there is anything you can do if it was coming up,” she said.
The report on unwanted water goes to council’s civic works committee on Dec. 14.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.