Raw sewage flowing into Ontario river after heavy rains overflow system [Video]

Residents of Kawartha Lakes and Scugog Township who draw their water from the Scugog River will need to take precautions after a week of rain led to raw sewage being released into the river.

The Fenelon Falls and Lindsay wastewater systems announced that wastewater entering the system exceeded capacity early Thursday morning, forcing untreated water directly into Scugog and Fenelon rivers downstream of Rivera Park Sewage Pumping Station.

The impact of the spill on water quality will be “minimal,” given dilution due to significant rainfall, the City of Kawartha Lakes reported, but residents downstream from Rivera Park were warned to “take precautions.”

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit advises residents who draw their water from the Scugog River to use a proper filtration and disinfection system before drinking. Surface water can be contaminated by viruses, bacteria or parasites that can cause illness.

Homes and businesses connected to municipal …