Timmins reports sanitary sewer overflow at Whitney-Tisdale Pump Station #2 on April 14

A sanitary sewer overflow began at Whitney-Tisdale Pump Station #2 at 57 Evans Street in Timmins on April 14, according to the City of Timmins. The city reported the overflow started at 3:02 p.m.

In an overflow report posted April 15, the city listed the end date, end time and the volume by-passed as “TBD,” meaning those details had not been provided in the report.

The city’s notice did not state what caused the overflow.

The report also included general information about how the city describes wastewater and overflows. It said municipal wastewater is about 99% water, including stormwater and water from homes and businesses, such as from washing and flushing.

According to the city, bypasses and overflows can occur when a treatment plant or treatment process is overwhelmed, often during heavy rainfall or snowmelt. The city said that during a bypass or overflow, partially treated wastewater is diverted away from a treatment process to prevent backups, overflows, or damage to the system.

The City of Timmins said residents can help reduce flows during rainstorms by delaying or limiting what it described as unnecessary water use, such as laundry, shower length and dishwashing.