Metro Vancouver releases raw sewage into Strait of Georgia after plant disruption
Metro Vancouver sewage spill in the Strait of Georgia after Iona plant disruption See what caused the release and how officials say beaches and health are affected
Metro Vancouver said an emergency disruption at the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant led to raw sewage being released into the Strait of Georgia on Thursday.
The regional district said screening equipment was jammed by an unusual amount of rocky debris around 2:40 p.m., forcing part of the system to be isolated for about three hours while crews worked to fix the problem.
Metro Vancouver said the discharge ended at 6 p.m. and the plant has been operating normally since then. Officials said beaches are being monitored by Vancouver Coastal Health and that modelling shows no expected impact on human health or the environment based on the short duration of the release.