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Sewage treatment plant overflows, golf course culvert collapses due to heavy rains

Ladysmith's waste water (sewage) treatment plant began overflowing into Ladysmith Harbour around 1 a.m. Dec. 9.

Ladysmith is feeling the effects of the heavy rains overnight.

At approximately 1 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 9 Ladysmith's waste water (sewage) treatment plant started overflowing into Ladysmith Harbour. A notice on the Town of Ladysmith's website states this overflowing is due to the "very heavy overnight rainfall and resulting storm-water runoff on top of the regular volume of waste water."

"It is anticipated that the overflows will continue throughout the day, as the excess storm drainage flows flush through the system," states the Town.

The Town states that its new waste water treatment plant, which is currently under construction and is expected to come on-line in 2016, is designed to accommodate higher demand and volume of both sewage and runoff without overflowing.

Swimming or wading near Transfer Beach is not recommended at this time.

The heavy rains have also caused the temporary closure of Ladysmith Golf Course. A culvert has collapsed and bank erosion has occurred, so the course is closed until further notice.

A wind warning and a rainfall warning remain in effect for east Vancouver Island. Environment Canada states that between 30mm and 50mm of rain has fallen since Dec. 8, and another frontal system will approach the B.C. south coast tonight (Dec. 9).

 





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