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Hole fixed in North Saanich effluent outflow pipe

CRD discovered leak from pipe in June; issued a health warning
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An outfall pipe sign indicates where the almost 1.5 km pipe leaves the shore and runs out into the Salish Sea at Bazan Bay. (Steven Heywood/News staff)

A hole that had been leaking treated sewage effluent in the Salish Sea has been repaired and a beach advisory lifted near Sidney.

Matthew McCrank, senior manager of infrastructure operations for the Capital Regional District, said repair workers have sealed a hole near the end of the outflow pipe from the Saanich Peninsula Wastewater Treatment Plant. That hole was discovered at around 150 metres from the end of the 1,400-metre pipe that extending into the ocean at Bazan Bay in North Saanich, between Wardle Road and Bakerview Place.

The CRD back in late June issued a beach use advisory, asking people and their pets to avoid swimming or wading in the water in that area. Those advisories were lifted in mid-July, following the repairs, making the area safe for beach users again.

At the time, McCrank said the hole was likely caused by corrosion and discovered by divers during a routine inspection of the pipe. The outflow pipe ends in a diffuser that further breaks apart the treated effluent from the plant.

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