Water Security Agency monitoring after sewage treatment bypassed during floods

The Water Security Agency is keeping a close eye on the water in several Saskatchewan communities after heavy rainfall and floods forced them to bypass their sewage treatment facilities to protect their systems from failure.

Rainfall early this week risked overloading the wastewater systems in Saskatoon, Sedley, Stockholm, Rocanville, Weyburn and Whitewood, the agency said Wednesday. Rain was falling fast, the agency said, and the volume of water flowing in was beyond the design limits of their systems.

“As a result, these communities needed to bypass untreated sewage from some or all portions of their sewage collection and treatment systems to protect their systems from failure; to protect property and/or to reduce public health risks,” the Water Security Agency said in a statement.

“The public should avoid waterways that may be affected in these communities.”

No drinking water advisories have been issued, but the agency said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue advisories if they are needed.

All such bypasses are required to be reported to the provincial spill centre.