Increased water volumes from melting snow and rainfall led to a brief bypass of secondary treatment at the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant early Monday morning.
The bypass occurred from approximately 3:30 a.m. to 3:50 a.m. on March 17th, during which less than 50 cubic metres of partially treated effluent was discharged into the Otonabee River. The discharged water had undergone primary treatment, including full screening, primary processing, and UV disinfection.
The plant resumed full treatment operations by 3:50 a.m. but continues to manage high water flows. Residents are urged to conserve water by taking shorter showers, delaying laundry loads, and turning off taps while brushing teeth or washing dishes.
On Sunday, the facility fully treated 105,751 cubic metres of sewage.
