Esquimalt creek contamination traced to improper connections

No decision has been made on whether a July 29 incident of contamination in Gorge Creek will result in a fine for a homeowner.

Leakage has continued since July, but recent monitoring shows a significant drop in contamination.

Following a lengthy investigation, the contamination has been traced to an inadvertent cross-connection at a nearby property east of Lampson Street. The cross-connection led to wastewater meant for sewer pipes being directed through stormwater pipes.

The problem caused the last-minute cancellation of the Gorge Swim Fest after organizers noticed a foul smell and a scummy substance at the creek, which flows under Craigflower Road and feeds into the Gorge Waterway. They decided to call off the event as a precaution.

Esquimalt staff thought for a time that the contamination was the result of deliberate dumping of septic-tank sewage into a storm drain.

“We’re still doing some additional investigation,” said Jeff Miller, Esquimalt’s director of engineering and public works. “At the end of the process I’ll have a determination of whether or not there will be a cost associated back to the homeowner.”

It is an older property that is involved and the connections seem to have been done some time ago, he said.

“It’s kind of lost in time as to when it actually happened.”

Esquimalt has been working with the homeowner to repair the pipes.

Since the contamination was found, Esquimalt crews have been checking the creek along with Island Health, the Capital Regional District and the Ministry of Environment.

Monitoring in the area will continue for a number of weeks.

Residents are reminded that anything going into collection systems can end up in bodies of water and damage water quality, the shoreline and marine wildlife.

Spills in the Gorge Waterway and nearby water courses have been an ongoing issue, Miller said. In September, a suspected oil spill in the Gorge turned out to be material washed from pavement and the ground into the water.

Anyone noticing what appears to be a spill in a waterway or elsewhere can report it by calling the Provincial Spill Line at 1-800-663-3456.