Emergency repairs on wastewater pump complete as crews work to clear clogged rags and wipes

Halifax Water says what you flush down a toilet should always be limited to only the 3Ps of pee, poo, and paper

CITYNEWS HALIFAX \ Meghan Groff

Emergency repairs on the Duffus Street wastewater pump station have been completed, but crews have run into another issue preventing normal operations at the Halifax Water facility.

The utility says when they tested the pump, it was quickly clogged up with rags and wipes.

It says what you flush down a toilet should always be limited to only the 3Ps of pee, poo, and paper.

“So-called ‘flushable wipes’ are not flushable and belong in your garbage,” said Halifax Water in a news release. “These wipes do not break down and clog our wastewater treatment facility screens, filters, and pumping station pumps.”

The failure of the wastewater pump has resulted in screened but untreated wastewater being released into Halifax Harbour.

Haligonians are being strongly advised to not swim in the harbour or participate in any other recreational activities that would require contact with the water.

In addition, those living in the pump station service area — which includes parts of the north end, west end, Fairview, Clayton Park, Rockingham and along parts of Larry Uteck Blvd. —  continue to be asked to minimize their wastewater.

The utility says almost two-thirds of the water we use on a daily basis is in the bathroom, most of which is collected as wastewater.

It recommends the following to reduce wastewater discharge in the bathroom:

• It it’s yellow, let it mellow. Depending on the efficiency of your toilet, each flush uses between 6 to 26 litres of water.
• Shorten your showers. Cut back on the frequency and length of showers.
• Turn off the tap when you don’t need it. Turn the tap off when you are brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your face, etc. To see how much water this saves, plug the drain and see just how much water collects in the sink.
• Install a dual flush toilet. Using less water for liquid waste will save water.
• Install low flow shower heads/faucets.

More tips can be found online.