Record rainfall sends raw sewage flowing into the Ottawa River
The view of the Ottawa River from Ottawa. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)
The record rainfall that soaked Ottawa last Friday sent more raw sewage overflowing into the Ottawa River.
Environment Canada reported 45.5 mm of rain was recorded at the Ottawa Airport on Aug. 9, while 75.8 mm of rain fell at Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm and 83 mm of rain was recorded in Gatineau, Que.
Statistics on the City of Ottawa's website show 155,700 litres of storm water and wastewater overflowed the sewage system and into the Ottawa River on Friday.
Ottawa Public Health issued no swimming advisories at Mooney's Bay Beach and Petrie Island Beaches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday due to high levels of e.coli in the water.
It's the sixth combined sewage overflow reported by the City of Ottawa so far this summer. A total of 51.6 million litres of raw sewage has overflowed the city's sewage system and into the water so far this summer.
The biggest sewage overflow was on June 6, when Ottawa received 44.1 mm of rain. The city's website says 50.1 million litres of combined overflow mixture overflowed the system and into the Ottawa River.
On July 24, when Ottawa received 32 mm of rain, a total of 410,000 litres of raw sewage overflowed the system and into the Ottawa River.
Photo courtesy City of Ottawa
The City of Ottawa built the Combined Sewage Storage Tunnel, designed to intercept and store surface runoff and wastewater until it can be treated at the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre and then returned to the Ottawa River. The $232 million project includes six kilometres of tunnels underground designed to stop sewage from flowing into the river during heavy rainfall events.
The underground Combined Sewage Storage Tunnel includes two tunnels: an east-west tunnel through the downtown core from LeBreton Flats to New Edinburgh Park, and a north-south tunnel along Kent Street from Chamberlain Avenue to existing infrastructure behind the Supreme Court of Canada building.
The city reported 11 sewage overflow events in 2023, with 464 million litres of raw sewage overflowing the sewage system. On Aug 10, 2023, 316 million litres of untreated water overflowed the system following heavy rain.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Conservatives to push non-confidence motion against Trudeau government
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party will put forward a non-confidence motion when Parliament resumes 'at the earliest possible opportunity' with the aim of triggering an early federal election.
An iconic Winston Churchill photograph, once stolen and replaced with a fake in Ottawa, has been found
Ottawa's Chateau Laurier hotel says authorities have recovered an iconic photograph of Winston Churchill after it was stolen and replaced with a fake nearly three years ago.
Carnival cruise ship collides with iceberg
The words 'Titanic moment' are possibly the last thing you want to hear on a boat – but that was the phrase used by one passenger on board the Carnival Spirit cruise ship last week, after the vessel unexpectedly struck an iceberg.
'I'm gobsmacked': Reactions to N.B. premier's pledge to halt approval of more safe injection sites
The head of New Brunswick's only safe injection site said she's very concerned after Premier Blaine Higgs pledged to not approve any more safe injection sites and to consult with communities about existing sites, if re-elected.
Harris's poised performance, Trump's aggression: Experts look at body language in U.S. presidential debate
The highly anticipated debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was a heated matchup that revealed plenty about their plans for America's future, if elected. Here's what experts who analyzed the exchange had to say.
'Buy nothing': PSAC wants federal workers to boycott downtown Ottawa businesses
A union representing federal employees is asking its members to bring their own lunch to work, in an apparent retaliation against downtown Ottawa businesses as new return-to-office protocols begin.
Justin Timberlake to enter plea in DWI case
Justin Timberlake is expected to enter a plea to a driving while intoxicated charge related to his June arrest in Sag Harbor, N.Y., according to the Suffolk County district attorney’s office.
Parents fight for change after 13-year-old girl dies in B.C. homeless camp
Brianna McDonald's death was caused by a suspected overdose, according to her family. And her grieving parents are urging change so other families don’t have to face what they are going though.
FACT CHECK: A look at the false and misleading claims made during the Trump-Harris debate
In their first and perhaps only debate, former U.S. president Donald Trump and U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris described the state of the country in starkly different terms. As the two traded jabs, some old false and misleading claims emerged along with some new ones.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Atlantic
-
'Don’t get sick on a Friday,' Bedford, N.S., MLA tells health committee
Despite data and testimony from health officials reporting progress on emergency health-care access, a Nova Scotia Liberal MLA says the system is still not up to standard.
-
Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick calls for Indigenous representation in SIRT
The six chiefs of New Brunswick's Wolastoqey Nation are calling for an inquiry into the recent fatal shooting of an Indigenous man by a Mountie conducting a wellness check.
-
Man charged with attempted murder after Halifax shooting
A 34-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge after an alleged shooting in the north end of Halifax last week.
Toronto
-
Police charge eight suspects following investigation into $3M GTA auto theft ring
Halton Regional Police say they have disrupted a group believed to be responsible for the theft of at least 40 vehicles in Halton Region and the Greater Toronto Area worth over $3 million.
-
Civil lawsuit alleging 'brutal' sexual assault launched against accused in Ont.'s 'Woodland rapist' case
An alleged child predator who was arrested and charged earlier this year is now facing a civil lawsuit in connection with a "brutal" sexual assault in a Toronto area park reported nearly 30 years ago.
-
Suspects seen tackling woman to ground in new carjacking video
York Regional Police have released surveillance footage showing a violent struggle between a victim and two would-be carjackers in Markham as they search for the suspects.
Montreal
-
Man and woman found dead in Montreal apartment, police consider deaths 'suspicious'
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating two 'suspicious deaths' in the Sainte-Marie neighbourhood.
-
Quebec woman wins MAID case to die at home after legal fight with landlord
A woman who requested medical assistance in dying (MAID) won a major case in front of the Quebec rental board. She wanted to die at home, but her landlord didn't want her to.
-
Dorval public transit tunnel too dark and scary for many riders
There are some safety concerns for public transit users in Dorval, who need to walk through the tunnel linking the bus and train stations, which was damaged by the summer flooding, causing electricity to be cut.
Northern Ontario
-
U.S. presidential historian predicts results of November elections. Here's who he says will win
An American presidential historian is predicting a Kamala Harris presidency as the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections in November.
-
Bears in schoolyard prompt students and staff into 2nd hold and secure this week
A Huntsville elementary school is locked down for the second time this week because of some bears roaming the schoolyard.
-
Public defecation leads to threats charge at northern Ont. campground
An incident involving siblings last weekend in Thessalon, Ont., ended with threats against campground staff and charges for one of the family members.
Windsor
-
Three Scarborough suspects arrested after series of armed robberies in Windsor
Windsor police have arrested two teens and a young man after a series of robberies.
-
Third suspect arrested in $45,000 theft
A third suspect has been arrested following a $45,000 theft earlier this year.
-
American expats gather in Windsor for first U.S. presidential debate watch party
In Windsor, American expats gathered at a downtown sports bar on Tuesday night to watch the highly anticipated U.S. presidential debate.
London
-
London school built to merge two, already overcrowded: TVDSB
East Carling Public School, located near the corner of Oxford and Quebec streets, is bursting at the seams, according to the Thames Valley District School Board.
-
Provincial coroner investigating the death of Perth County man that passed away following police interaction
The death of a Perth county man following an interaction with OPP on April 14, 2018, is at the centre of a coroner’s inquest announced today.
-
Huron OPP investigate stolen pickup and trailer, recovered burnt out
Huron OPP is investigating a stolen pickup truck and U-Haul trailer, which was recovered in South Huron.
Kitchener
-
Civil lawsuit alleging 'brutal' sexual assault launched against accused in Ont.'s 'Woodland rapist' case
An alleged child predator who was arrested and charged earlier this year is now facing a civil lawsuit in connection with a "brutal" sexual assault in a Toronto area park reported nearly 30 years ago.
-
Ontario woman charged with assault with a weapon after neighbour sprayed with water gun
A Simcoe, Ont. woman has been charged with assault with a weapon after spraying her neighbour with a water gun.
-
Canadian first: LOTTO MAX Jackpot rolls to record $75M
This Friday's draw marks the first time the LOTTO MAX jackpot has climbed to $75 million.
Barrie
-
Police investigate fatal hit-and-run on Highway 26 involving transport truck
Police are investigating an alleged hit-and-run after an individual was found dead at the side of the road in Springwater Township early Wednesday morning.
-
OPP constable charged after alleged assault at Santa's Village
A woman has been charged with assault following an incident at an amusement park in Bracebridge.
-
Highway 400 lane closures after tractor-trailer rollover
Police closed northbound lanes along Highway 400 Wednesday morning after a tractor-trailer collision.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba grand chief's death marked with ceremonies, mourners attend legislature
Family members, community leaders and dignitaries were on hand to pay tribute to Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, who died last Friday.
-
Taxi scam spotted in Winnipeg; police warning public to be aware
The Winnipeg Police Service is warning the public of a fake taxi scam starting to circulate in the city that could leave you paying for more than the cost of a regular fare.
-
Gillingham throws support behind $650 million plan to redevelop Portage Place
Mayor Scott Gillingham has thrown his support behind the $650 million plan to redevelop Portage Place, calling it one of the biggest downtown developments in generations.
Calgary
-
Calgary's August hailstorm caused $2.8B in damage: IBC
There have been almost $2.8 billion in claims made because of a severe hailstorm in Calgary this past August, making it the second-costliest natural disaster in Canadian history.
-
Calgary sports complex adding lazy river and water slides with $87.5M expansion
A well-known Calgary sports complex is getting a massive makeover.
-
Banff Mountie charged in break-and-enter
A Banff RCMP officer is facing charges following a break-and-enter at a hotel room nearly two years ago.
Edmonton
-
Bonnyville teacher arrested after sexual assault reported by student
A teacher at the Duclos School in Bonnyville has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference.
-
3 Edmonton restaurants ranked among best new dining spots in country
Edmonton's Bar Henry. Bernadette's and Little Wolf are up for consideration for the title of Canada's best new restaurant.
-
9 more mental health classrooms opening in communities across Alberta
Alberta is opening nine more mental health classrooms in communities across the province this month.
Regina
-
'Another option': Sask. widening scope of practice for pharmacists
The provincial government is widening the scope of practice for Saskatchewan pharmacists with the launch of a new pilot project.
-
Fire at Centre Pointe Plaza high-rise results in 'significant damage'
Downtown Regina was host to quite the spectacle as flames spewed from the 11th storey of Centre Pointe Plaza on Tuesday.
-
Regina police ask for tips to find suspects in bear spray and robbery incidents
Regina police are asking for tips to help find suspects connected to a recent robbery attempt, that saw a man be bear sprayed when he went to potential buyers of a smart watch he was selling.
Saskatoon
-
Downtown Saskatoon dance studio owner worries about proposed shelter site across the street
The latest potential site announced for a Saskatoon emergency shelter is not going over well with owners of a dance studio located across the street.
-
Buyers say they lost life savings to a Saskatchewan company selling luxury vacation condos
In 2022, Tanya Frisk-Welburn and her husband bought what they hoped would be a dream home in Mexico.
-
Saskatoon man pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of his wife
Derek Thomas Caron pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his wife, 44-year-old Jessica Caron, on Tuesday in Saskatoon.
Vancouver
-
RCMP enforcement at B.C. logging protests 'unreasonable,' federal police watchdog says
A federal police oversight agency has found the RCMP's enforcement of a civil injunction against old-growth logging protesters on Vancouver Island was unreasonable and violated the rights of activists.
-
Metro Vancouver men charged after several kilos of drugs seized
Two men are facing drug-trafficking charges after police seized several kilograms of cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine from multiple Metro Vancouver properties last year, British Columbia's anti-organized crime task force announced Wednesday.
-
Trump-Harris debate: Democrats Abroad pleased with vice-president's performance at Vancouver viewing
Crowds gathered to watch the U.S. presidential debate at a number of Vancouver venues on Tuesday, and supporters of Kamala Harris walked away feeling enthusiastic about her performance.
Vancouver Island
-
RCMP enforcement at B.C. logging protests 'unreasonable,' federal police watchdog says
A federal police oversight agency has found the RCMP's enforcement of a civil injunction against old-growth logging protesters on Vancouver Island was unreasonable and violated the rights of activists.
-
Metro Vancouver men charged after several kilos of drugs seized
Two men are facing drug-trafficking charges after police seized several kilograms of cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine from multiple Metro Vancouver properties last year, British Columbia's anti-organized crime task force announced Wednesday.
-
Parents fight for change after 13-year-old girl dies in B.C. homeless camp
Brianna McDonald's death was caused by a suspected overdose, according to her family. And her grieving parents are urging change so other families don’t have to face what they are going though.
Kelowna
-
Woman stabbed during daylight Kelowna home invasion: RCMP
A woman suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed during a home invasion in Kelowna, according to authorities.
-
Dog mauled to death in B.C. yard after 3 pit bulls jump fence: police
A 12-year-old collie was killed by three pit bulls in the B.C. Interior Sunday morning, according to authorities.
-
Suspect charged with 2nd-degree murder 1 year after Smithers, B.C., shooting
Mounties in northwestern B.C. say they have arrested the suspect in a fatal shooting almost exactly a year after it occurred.
