The territorial government is considering discharging approximately 1,600-cubic-metres of raw sewage into Rankin Inlet’s Prairie Bay following the discovery of a leak at the Johnston Cove lift station.
The Department of Community and Government Services (CGS) informed the Nunavut Water Board of a leak on May 26, according to a public notice posted on the water board’s website.
“At present, the leaking effluent is being contained and pumped back into the wet well at an approximate rate of five cubic metres per day,” reads the notice.
The notice states that the sewage treatment system may need to be bypassed for up to three days during the repair work.
“During the bypass, approximately 1,600-cubic-metres of raw sewage may have to be directed around the sewage treatment system (without going through the wastewater treatment plant) and discharged into the marine environment (Prairie Bay),” the notice states.
On June 2, the water board approved CGS’s request to proceed with its plans.
“In considering this request, the board recognizes that in this emergency, the proposed bypass of the sewage treatment system cannot be avoided during repairs and that the release will be for a short time and the potential for impact to surface water would be limited,” reads the NWB notice. “The applicant is strongly encouraged to make every effort to expedite the repair and reduce the duration of the bypass being engaged.”
Darren Flynn, Rankin Inlet’s senior administrative officer, said any questions regarding the repair should be directed to CGS.
Kivalliq News submitted several questions to CGS’s communication department but had not received a response as of the end of the day Friday.