Thousands of residents in three Vancouver Island communities are now able to flush their toilets and wash their clothes after a leak at the pump station earlier in the day.
Everyone in the City of Courtenay, the K’ómoks First Nation and the Town of Comox could not flush their toilets or use water that drains into the sewage system for most of Tuesday.
The Comox Valley Regional District said an upgrade project at a pump station caused an uncontrolled release of wastewater, which overflowed into the ocean.
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Kris La Rose, General Manager of Engineering Services at the District, told Global News that, fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
“However, after filling up, that hole immediately overflowed and the pump station is right next to the intertidal zone, so right next to the ocean,” he said.
“And so since that time, the wastewater has been overflowing down onto the beach and into the ocean, into the harbour and the pump station is immediately adjacent to the Comox Marina.”
La Rose added that the leak at the bottom of a submerged hole was a hard location to get to, but crews were able to fix the issue shortly after 6 p.m.
Residents could not flush toilets, use water that drains into the sewage system, shower or have baths, use dishwashers or washing machines, or harvest shellfish or marine resources from the affected area.
People are still being told to avoid entering the ocean, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding or taking part in any other water-related activities near the shoreline and around Goose Spit and Comox Marina.
Everyone should avoid contact with ocean water, shoreline areas, mudflats and standing water in that area. Children and pets should be kept away from beaches and estuary access points.
Really, what a surprise!
Oh no!
Where are all the crying indians?
Another ALBERTA contractor?!!