Hamilton discovers another sewage leak into Hamilton Harbour

Less than two months following the discovery of a major, long-term sewage leak into the harbour, the City of Hamilton has found a second major leak. 

The second leak was discovered in the area of Rutherford Avenue at Myrtle Avenue in Ward 3, with as many as 11 residential properties discharging sanitary wastewater directly into Hamilton Harbour via a storm sewer constructed in 1996. 

On Saturday, as part of the City of Hamilton proactive maintenance program, Hamilton Water staff found a sewage leak on Rutherford Avenue.
 
Release>> https://t.co/jvEbQcmF6t #HamOnt

— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) January 9, 2023

City staff are currently unaware of the exact volume of the discharge, which has been entering the Harbour for the past 27 years; but the number will be publicly reported following an assessment. 

“Hamilton Water’s immediate priority upon discovering the leak was mitigating the spill and to protect the environment,” reads a release from the city. 

“We continue to follow the necessary notification protocols to the Province and other agencies.”

The city has been piloting a proactive risk-based inspection program following the discovery that as much as 337 million litres of sewage has leaked into Hamilton Harbour in the Burlington Street area since 1996. 

Read the full release here. 

Lead image courtesy of Google Maps

Share post

Tags

• city
• environment
• Hamilton
• HamOnt
• leak
• sewage
• wastewater