Raw overflow reported at Timmins wastewater plant; end time and volume still listed as TBD

A raw overflow started at the Mattagami Water Pollution Control Plant at 551 Airport Rd. in Timmins at 7:41 p.m. on April 17, the City of Timmins Environmental Services Department reported April 20. The city’s notice listed the end date, end time and volume bypassed as “TBD.”

The report was posted on the City of Timmins website as part of a series of notices about wastewater overflows and bypasses.

In the same notice, the city included general information about how bypasses and overflows can occur. It said municipal wastewater is “99% water” from stormwater and from homes and businesses.

The notice said a bypass or overflow can happen when a treatment plant or a treatment process is overwhelmed, and that these events are “often caused by heavy rainfall and/or snowmelt.”

It also said that during a bypass or overflow, partially treated wastewater may be diverted away from a treatment process to prevent backups, overflows or damage to the system.

The city’s notice asked residents to conserve water during rainstorms, including postponing laundry, long showers and dishwasher use. The notice also asked residents not to flush wipes.