Timmins reports 668.812 m3 wastewater bypass at Mattagami treatment plant on April 15

A wastewater bypass was reported at the Mattagami Water Pollution Control Plant in Timmins on April 15, with the city listing 668.812 m3 as the volume by-passed between 6 p.m. and 8:47 p.m.

The City of Timmins’ notice identifies the plant address as 551 Airport Road, but it does not state what caused the event or where the wastewater was discharged.

The city used two different labels for the same notice, referring to it as a “secondary bypass” while also describing it as a “raw overflow” report. The city did not explain the difference between those terms.

In the notice, the City of Timmins provides general background on bypasses and overflows, saying they can happen when a treatment plant or part of its process is overwhelmed, and that heavy rainfall or snowmelt can be a cause.

The notice also says 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.

As additional background, the city’s notice describes municipal wastewater as “99% water” from stormwater and from homes and businesses, including water from activities such as washing and flushing.