Saskatoon storm 'overwhelmed' treatment plant
Saskatoon's wastewater treatment plant struggled to keep up during the June 20 rainstorm that battered the city.
The plant measures its flow in millions of litres per day (MLD).
A city report outlines how 270 million MLD of water was rushing through the plant during the storm's peak. The typical average daily flow sits around 79 MLD, according to the city.
The highest flow rate "in recent history" happened in 2017, with 170 MLD, according to the report.
During the storm, the plant was "overwhelmed" resulting in a minor spill of 70 cubic metres of raw sewage into the South Saskatchewan River, the report said.
"Due to the minimal amount of sewage spilled, there is no risk to the public to utilize the river for recreation," the report said.
By comparison, an Olympic-sized swimming pool holds 2,500 cubic metres of water.
The city's sanitary and storm systems operate independently.
However, water can infiltrate the storm system through avenues such as manholes, pipes and sump pump connections, the report said.
During the storm, city residents were asked via social media to refrain from unnecessarily flushing toilets and running washing machines and dishwashers.
The plant was switched to manual operation during the storm, which diverted millions of litres of water and prevented "longer-term quality impacts," the report said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
WATCH LIVE | Justice ministry had ‘no involvement’ in review of N.S. mass shooting documents: deputy attorney general
Canada’s deputy attorney general says the Department of Justice had ‘no involvement whatsoever’ in the department’s review and delivery of documents to ongoing independent public inquiry into the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia.

Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet accused of sexual assault in class-action lawsuit
Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet is accused of sexual assault in documents tabled in Superior Court Tuesday related to a class-action lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quebec. The allegations against Ouellet are part of a series of claims made against clergy members that are included in two class-action lawsuits against the church that have been authorized by a judge.
First possible case of human-to-dog monkeypox transmission 'not surprising,' WHO says
The first possible case of human-to-dog transmission of monkeypox -- recently reported in a couple and their pet in Paris -- had been a theoretical risk up till now, said Dr. Rosamund Lewis, technical lead on the monkeypox response for the World Health Organization.
B.C. man among first approved for Canada's Vaccine Injury Support Program still waiting for compensation
A B.C. man, who was among the first Canadians approved for Canada's Vaccine Injury Support Program, says he is frustrated with the length of time it is taking to receive compensation.
Parents will need a prescription for some children's liquid medication, SickKids warns
Parents of young children will need a prescription for some over-the-counter fever and pain medication due to a shortage in pharmacies, Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children is warning.
OPINION | Economists are forecasting a recession in Canada, how should you prepare?
The next time the Bank of Canada raises interest rates on the scheduled date of September 7, 2022, it could potentially trigger a recession. Although there may be a chance that we don’t enter into a recession and the BoC is still hoping for a soft landing, it’s best to be prepared. Contributor Christopher Liew explains how.
Baby rocker, swing recalled over strangulation hazard
Two infant products, manufactured by baby gear company 4moms, are being recalled due to strangulation hazards, according to a consumer product notice issued by Health Canada.
Canada's inflation rate slows in July despite price gains in food, rent, travel
Canada's year-over-year inflation rate slowed to 7.6 per cent in July, with the deceleration largely driven by a decline in gas prices even as prices for food, rent and travel continued to rise.
Explosions rock Crimea in suspected Ukrainian attack
Explosions and fires ripped through an ammunition depot in Russian-occupied Crimea on Tuesday in the second suspected Ukrainian attack on the peninsula in just over a week, forcing the evacuation of more than 3,000 people.