Wastewater from ruptured sewer line still flowing into Bow River: Town of Cochrane
After initially saying that wastewater was no longer flowing into the Bow River, the Town of Cochrane said actually it still is.
At 7:35 a.m. Sunday, the town said workers had stopped the flow of wastewater into the Bow following a Saturday sewage line rupture.
However, at 12:20 p.m., they issued a statement to the contrary.
"Our onsite incident response team has advised that this information was inaccurate," it said. "Although the discharge has been significantly reduced, wastewater is continuing to flow into the Bow River at this time."
SEWER LINE BREAK
A sewer line broke in the town of Cochrane late Saturday evening, causing an overland sewage discharge into the Bow River at the Highway 22 Bridge.
In a Sunday release, the town said it learned at around 6 p.m. Saturday evening that a contractor doing work for the town "impacted our wastewater and water pipelines as they were setting up for drilling operations."
In a Sunday interview with CTV News, Cochrane mayor Jeff Genung confirmed the source of the rupture.
"This was a capital project that we had scheduled, it was an upgrade to an existing line," Genung said. "It was just meant to increase capacities for our wastewater infrastructure system and this contractor was there doing that work and struck one of our other lines."
Genung said it was unclear how much wastewater has spilled into the Bow.
"Until we can assess anything, it's just really too early in the game to really tell you how much wastewater has been spilled," he said. "What the impacts to the river, if any are and then, what are the next steps really.
"We're focusing now on just getting the leak stopped and getting the procedures in place to bypass that breach, so that we can get our wastewater flows back to normal here in our community."
Genung added that he's been in close contact with representatives from Calgary and Rocky View County to keep them up-to-date on the situation.
SAFE TO DRINK
The town sent out advisories on social media late Saturday.
"Cochrane drinking water is not impacted and remains safe to drink," it said. "We are working with all relevant agencies, including the City of Calgary, Rocky View County and Alberta Environment and Parks."
The City of Calgary also issued a statement Sunday morning that the sewer line rupture has produced "no change in water quality at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant.
"Calgary's water remains safe to drink."
Rocky View County issued a similar statement Sunday around 10:30 a.m.
People are asked to avoid the area to allow crews space to respond to the incident.
Eastbound Griffin Road has been reduced to a single lane of traffic, and all pathways adjacent to the Bow River have been closed, from Riverfront Park to Griffin Industrial Point, including Jim Uffelmann Memorial Park.
The Town of Cochrane has activated its Emergency Coordination Centre and has also implemented Level 3 water restrictions, asking residents to conserve water.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Thousands are expected to rally on Washington's National Mall in support of Palestinian rights
Thousands of protesters are expected to turn out for a rally in the American capital Saturday in support of Palestinian rights and an immediate end to Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Hundreds walk backwards in downtown Montreal to symbolize the decline of LGBTQ2S+ rights
On Friday, hundreds gathered and walked backwards in the heart of Montreal to honour the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
Jesus is their savior, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
Doctors, patients want options to reduce dialysis waste adding to climate change
Dr. Caroline Stigant, a nephrologist at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria and a leading advocate for sustainable kidney care, said each hemodialysis treatment uses up to 500 litres of water and large amounts of energy.