Untreated sewage still flowing into Halifax Harbour

Years after the Halifax sewage treatment system was finished, it appears wastewater is still flowing, untreated, into Halifax harbour.

The sewer lines under the provincial law courts were severed more than four years ago, and the fix wont be a cheap one. It's going to cost more than$800,000.

The problem is outlined in a report being presented to the citys Audit and Finance Standing Committee this morning.

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According to Halifax Water, the ferry terminal and the provincial law courts are discharging wastewater "in a manner that does not comply with applicable regulations."

Apparently, sewer lines were cut during the actual construction of the new Halifax wastewater treatment plant. But that wasn't discovered until some repairs at the Halifax ferry terminal got underway in 2010.

Staff have been working for the past two years to come up with a solution but it's complicated.

The province has to be involved because a new sewer line is needed to connect the provincial law courts to the citys sewer system. There have also been negotiations with the Armour Group because it leases the nearby Historic Properties from the city and an easement is needed to install a new line for the ferry terminal.

Tenders for the work were received last year, but awarding the work has been delayed.

The lowest bidder is Brycon Construction, with a total cost of almost $600,000, but by the time other costs are added on including paying for three months of displaced parking the estimate for the total cost of the project is $860,000.

The work can't start until the province agrees to pay for close to half the bill.

Halifax pumped raw sewage into the harbour for decades before opening a $55-million treatment plant in 2008, followed by the opening of harbour beaches to much fanfare.