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Investigation Continues into Unreported Sewage Spill

Thursday, May 29, 2008It has been revealed that almost a million cubic metres of sewage was dumped into the Ottawa River in August 2006. This was caused by a malfunctioning valve at the Robert O Pickard sewage treatment plant. The spill has been partially linked to the 45 no-swim advisories at Petrie Island beach in that same year.

Last week, city officials were insisting their staff informed the Ministry of the Environment about the spill immediately after it was detected in August 2006. However, it was later revealed that the ministry wasn’t informed until May 2007. Jean-Pierre Boisseau, the city employee who claimed he had informed the ministry promptly, has been fired after finally admitting to lying.

The City of Ottawa claims an investigation into the issue will continue. In fact, Auditor General Alain Lalonde, Kent Kirkpatrick, Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment are all launching investigations into the matter.

However, the city, not Boisseau, will be held legally responsible if charges are laid by the Ministry of the Environment. Ministry spokesperson, John Steele says the ministry will be investigating whether the mandatory protocols were followed by the city. It’s uncertain how long the ministry’s investigation will take, but charges must be laid by the end of July.


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