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
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.