Smell not caused by dumping: CBRM

Women swimming in Glace Bay when overcome by sewage smell

The strong smell of sewage that hit four people swimming near some cliffs in Glace Bay on Aug. 13 was not caused by illegal dumping.

This has been confirmed by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) who said public works was doing maintenance in the area, on Shea’s Lane, clearing a blocked sewer main. Jillian Moore, CBRM spokesperson, said the smell could have been caused by the work they were doing.

It could have also been caused by one of the sewer outflows close to the area, although Moore said under “typical conditions” this isn’t common.

“The fact that we are onsite completing maintenance on a blocked sewer main means that the sewer line is not functioning properly,” she said via email.

“Therefore, we must clear the blockage in the system to restore the operation. This may release odours and will likely cause the material to go out the outfall eventually.”

The people were swimming when they saw a sewage truck parked on the side. One of the people swimming thought they saw brown liquid going down the sides of the cliff but Moore said there is no leakage of liquid from the truck, only the hose which would have been in the sewer line.

Glace Bay is one of eight communities in the CBRM that still releases untreated sewage into a harbour or the ocean. Considered a high risk for environmental contamination, along with Port Morien, Glace Bay is the next community scheduled to get a waste water treatment facility after the one in Westmount is completed. The CBRM has been given until 2020 to get the Glace Bay treatment facility up and running.

The people swimming took pictures of the truck and filed complaints with Coun. George MacDonald, Coun. Darren Bruckschwaiger and the Department of Environment.

Moore said the Department of Environment followed up with CBRM Public Works and determined they did the sewer repair according to regulations.

“The fact that we are onsite completing maintenance on a blocked sewer main means that the sewer line is not functioning properly. Therefore, we must clear the blockage in the system to restore the operation. This may release odours and will likely cause the material to go out the outfall eventually.”

Jillian Moore, CBRM spokesperson

Both Bruckschwaiger and MacDonald told the Post they believe hearing from people about situations like this is

important even if it is found out no wrong was done.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/CBRM This map from the CBRM shows the sewage outflows that dump directly in the ocean from New Waterford to Port Morien. Glace Bay is the next area expected to get a wastewater treatment facility and plans are to have it operational by 2020.

SUBMITTED PHOTO A woman swimming with three other people, near these cliffs in Glace Bay, took this picture of a sewage truck on Aug. 13. After the truck arrived, the four people noticed a strong smell of sewage and feared the truck was dumping into the ocean. The CBRM confirmed it was their truck but said it was clearing a blocked sewer main.