New interactive map helps share real-time information about City wastewater facilities
The City of London has launched a new webpage and interactive map displaying the real-time status of key locations for overflow activity in the City’s wastewater treatment system.
These improvements were made possible through the Province’s Improving Monitoring and Public Reporting of Sewage Overflows and Bypasses Program. The new webpage and interactive map are an ongoing effort to improve how residents can access current overflow and bypass information. The City is also collecting feedback about this tool which will inform future improvements to the webpage.
About overflows and bypasses
Overflows and bypasses are a last resort measure to prevent basement flooding and damage to treatment processes during severe weather.
A sewer system overflow occurs when sanitary sewers are overwhelmed by stormwater during wet weather events.
Wastewater treatment plants treat as much sewage as possible prior to any plant bypass. However, in some cases where the flow of wastewater and stormwater exceeds the treatment plant’s capacity, a wastewater treatment plant bypass occurs.
The City closely monitors the quantity of overflows and bypasses, both at the wastewater treatment plants as well as at direct overflow points in the collection system. This information continues to be posted to london.ca/sewers. The Thames River is also sampled on a regular basis as part of a monitoring program at ten locations. Water quality in the Thames River has improved significantly since river monitoring was initiated in 1963.
How Londoners can help
Reducing the number of weeping tile connections to the sanitary sewer helps prevent overflow and bypass issues. During heavy rainfall, these connections can overwhelm the sewer system, leading to basement flooding, environmental impacts, sewer overflows, and bypasses. It is estimated that there are approximately 50,000 homes in London that have weeping tiles directly connected to the sanitary sewer.
If your home was built before the 1990s, your weeping tiles may be connected to the sanitary sewer. You can have your weeping tiles disconnected and redirected to a sump pump, which can discharge to the surface or connect to the City’s stormwater system.
The City has a Basement Flooding Grant Program to help homeowners with the cost of these improvements. This program provides financial assistance for backwater valve installation, weeping tile disconnection and other flood prevention measures.
In newer homes, weeping tiles may already be connected to a sump pit or sump pump pumping water to the storm sewer or yard.
For more information about the Basement Flooding Grant By-law, or to find out if you qualify for the grant program, visit london.ca/BFGP.