Second raw sewage leak discharging into Hamilton Harbour discovered

For the second time since last November, the City of Hamilton has discovered that a pipe has been leaking raw sewage into Hamilton Harbour since 1996.

The first discovery came on November 22, 2022, when maintenance staff inadvertently discovered a hole in a combined sewer pipe that was discharging into Hamilton Harbour.

An investigation revealed that sewage from about 50 properties in the Burlington Street and Wentworth Street North area was leaking into the harbour since 1996.

That prompted a series of inspections, which revealed a second leak.

“On Saturday, Hamilton Water staff were conducting a number of these investigations and discovered a potential cross-connected sewer on Rutherford Avenue at Myrtle Avenue in Ward 3. Staff verified earlier this afternoon that this cross-connection does exist,” the City said.

“Based on staff’s preliminary investigation and consultation of City records, a 100-year-old combined sewer pipe was connected to a newly constructed storm sewer in 1996.

“Since that time, as many as 11 residential properties have been discharging sanitary wastewater directly to the storm sewer and to Hamilton Harbour.”

The City says it’s not yet clear how much raw sewage has leaked over the decades.

“Hamilton Water’s immediate priority upon discovering the leak was mitigating the spill and to protect the environment.

“A vacuum truck has been mobilized to the location to prevent the discharge from occurring while City Staff determines an appropriate permanent remedy.”