Water Levels Lowered To Assist Sewer Construction

The Sydney Tar Ponds Agency has lowered the water level in the South Tar Pond to help workers hooking up the new interceptor sewer.

The agency took the action today, May 16, at the request of Cape Breton Regional Municipality's engineering and public works department.

The lowered water level may intensify sewage odours in the area of the south pond on warm, sunny days.

Financed by the Tar Ponds cleanup project, the interceptor sewer will divert sewage currently flowing into the Tar Ponds and its tributaries, Wash Brook and Coke Ovens Brook, to the treatment plant nearing completion at Battery Point in Sydney's north end.

The plant is expected to begin operations next month and sewage odours from the Tar Ponds will gradually diminish. It may take a year or more for the odours to completely disappear.

A sluice gate in the Ferry Street coffer dam influences the water level of the South Tar Pond. The gate was lowered this morning, and will stay down until city workers complete sewer construction.