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
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.