West end residents, businesses asked to conserve water after sewer main break
A sewer force main break on Days Road this morning has Utilities Kingston asking west end residents to conserve water and reduce sewer use.
According to a release from Utilities Kingston, issued shortly after 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jun. 9, 2022, the sewer break is contained and there is no immediate risk of basement flooding or other direct public safety risks, but the situation could change quickly. West end residents should also take steps to protect against basement flooding, the utility company stated.
Utilities Kingston said that residents and businesses in the Kingston West sewage collection system are affected. The Kingston West sewage collection system is:
- west of the Little Cataraqui Creek to Westbrook and Collins Bay
- south of highway 401
“We are appealing to the public to reduce sewer use to help reduce the risk of sewer overflows and basement flooding, and protect the environment,” said Heather Roberts, Director of Water and Wastewater Services of Utilities Kingston. “All hands are on deck to make repairs as quickly as possible. We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of this issue, as well as the impact to sewer services.”
The utility company is anticipating challenging repairs due to surrounding infrastructure and said that residents should prepare to conserve water for the next 24 to 48 hours.
According to the release, the break is on one of two sewer mains conveying sewage from the Days Road Pumping Station to the Cataraqui Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant. The affected sewer main has been shut down, Utilities Kingston said, and the leak has been contained. However, the utility company noted, the sewer main remaining in service is experiencing high capacity, as it is now pumping high volumes, due to recent heavy rains.
Crews were on scene this morning near the corner of Front Road and Days Road just east of Centre 70. Utility workers were hoping to alleviate pressure on the system after noticing a leak near two 90-degree elbows in the area.
At the time, the manager on scene stated that they are hoping to resolve the issue today, but also acknowledged that the repair may stretch over multiple days.
Utilities Kingston provided the following information for those affected by this sewer main break:
Steps to reduce sewer use
- Use cottage rules for flushing.
- Wait to shower, wash clothes or run the dishwasher until this issue is repaired to lessen the burden on the sanitary sewer system.
- Delay washing cars.
- Turn off the water when you shave or brush your teeth.
Protect against basement flooding
While there is no immediate risk of basement flooding at this time, residents should be prepared for the situation to change, and take steps to protect their basements from flooding:
- Reduce household water use
- If you have a sanitary backwater valve, check it for proper operation
- Remove high-value items from your basement and put other items into storage bins
- Learn more at https://utilitieskingston.com/Wastewater/BasementFlooding/Protect
- Know what to do if your basement has flooded: Entering a wet basement could be hazardous! https://utilitieskingston.com/Wastewater/BasementFlooding/Flooded
The break has been reported to officials from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, according to the release.
During normal operation, two sewer mains carry sewage from the Days Road Pumping Station to the Cataraqui Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, where wastewater is treated and released to Lake Ontario in the form of natural resource quality water, according to Utilities Kingston. Days Road Pumping Station conveys sewage from 80 to 90 per cent of the Kingston West collection system. View a map of the sewage collection system at https://utilitieskingston.com/Corporate/AboutUs/ServiceAreas