Fenelon Falls residents who draw their water from the Fenelon Rive downstream from the Colborne Street sewage pumping station are being advised to take extra precautions as raw sewage is currently being released into the river.
Due to extreme wet weather, the amount of wastewater entering the sewer system has exceeded capacity of the Fenelon Falls wastewater system, and the Colborne Street sewage pumping station began bypassing the additional wastewater into the river as of 10 p.m. on Wednesday night (April 5).
In addition, the sewage treatment plant is partially bypassing the sand filtration process, although effluent is still receiving UV disinfection prior to outlet into the Fenelon River.
Water being delivered to Fenelon Falls homes and businesses connected to the municipal water system is unaffected and continues to be safe to drink.
In a media release, the City of Kawartha Lakes states the “impact of the spill on water quality will be minimal given dilution due to significant rainfall,” but is advising residents drawing water downstream from the Colborne Street sewage pumping station (located at the bottom side of Fenelon locks) to take precautions.
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District (HKPR) Health Unit advises residents who draw their water from the Fenelon River to ensure the water is properly treated by using a proper filtration and disinfection system before consuming the water.
Residents will be advised when the bypass event has ended.
