In York Region, all domestic sewage is treated either at municipal treatment plants or in private septic systems.  An overflow of a sanitary sewer is viewed as a significant breakdown in the environmental control of our water resources.

All sanitary sewer systems are designed to accommodate a maximum amount of flow.  When inflow and infiltration exceeds these design allowances, sewer capacity is used and could result in overflows, risks to health, damage to the environment and increased costs in conveying sewage to the treatment plant and the treatment itself.

Environmental Concerns:

• Sewage overflows damage sensitive ecosystems and the environment.
• Sewage overflows can affect groundwater, local ecosystems, water quality in lakes, streams and rivers

Potential Health Risks:

• Sewage overflows present a public health risk. While exposure to bacteria, such as those of fecal coli form origin (ie: E. coli), giardiasis or cryptosporidiosis, are not considered fatal for a healthy adult, they can be deadly for those with weaker immune systems, the elderly and small children.

Exceeding Sewer Capacity: