Timmins reports secondary bypass/raw overflow event at Mattagami wastewater plant on April 14

A secondary bypass/raw overflow event was reported at the Mattagami Water Pollution Control Plant in Timmins on April 14, with a start time of 5:25 p.m., according to a notice from the City of Timmins Environmental Services Department. The notice listed the end date, end time and “Volume by-passed” as “TBD.”

The city’s notice matters for residents who may be concerned about wastewater handling and system capacity during wet weather, and because the city asked households to reduce water use during rainstorms.

The event was reported at the Mattagami Water Pollution Control Plant at 551 Airport Road.

The notice did not list a cause for the April 14 event.

In general information included with the notice, the city said municipal wastewater “consists of 99% water” coming from stormwater and from homes and businesses through activities such as washing and flushing.

The city said a bypass or overflow can occur when a treatment plant or a treatment process is overwhelmed, and that these events are often caused by heavy rainfall and/or snowmelt. The city did not state that rainfall or snowmelt caused the April 14 event.

During a bypass or overflow, the city said partially treated wastewater may be diverted away from a treatment process to prevent backups or damage to the system.

The city asked residents to conserve water during rainstorms by delaying or limiting what it described as unnecessary usage, including laundry, taking long showers, or running the dishwasher. The city also asked residents not to flush wipes.