Halifax Water is planning to perform wastewater system maintenance work at the Halifax wastewater treatment facility located at 2180 Barrington Street, Halifax. This work is scheduled for a 10-day period between April 21 to April 30, 2025.
During this scheduled work, it is estimated that approximately 2,000,000 m3 of wastewater will be released into the Harbour from 14 approved relief points between the Fairview and Downtown Halifax. These locations are designed to occasionally alleviate pressure from high volumes in the collection system due to wet weather.
This maintenance work is integral to the system’s operation and must be completed by redirecting wastewater flows.
This will help minimize the impact on customers and the environment while ensuring customers continue to have wastewater service during this period.
To reduce pressure on the wastewater system and minimize environmental impact during this temporary maintenance period, we are asking customers to reduce wastewater flows in the areas shown (see map). Please minimize use of running water, flushing toilets or doing laundry during this time.
It is advised that people and pets minimize recreational activities in the water around the area highlighted on the map.
To learn more, visit halifaxwater.ca/reducing-wastewater.
This work will not impact traffic. This work will not impact Halifax Water services in the area.
We appreciate your assistance in this matter and apologize for any inconvenience this wastewater system maintenance work may cause.
To ensure the safety of our communities and our staff, please maintain a safe distance when Halifax Water staff or contractors are working in your area.
How will this work be completed?
To accomplish this necessary work, sections of the wastewater collection system will be diverted from the treatment plant to overflow points, where wastewater will be screened to remove solids and debris before discharge to the Bedford Basin and Halifax Harbour.
During this period, Halifax Water will ask residents and customers to reduce their wastewater usage to reduce the amount of untreated wastewater released. This will help minimize the pressure on the system and reduce overall environmental impact.
Why is this necessary?
This maintenance work is required to ensure the system continues to operate and meet regulatory compliance.
Why is untreated wastewater being released? Can this be avoided?
The wastewater system, as currently designed, does not allow for the diverting to another facility or for the retention of wastewater. Additionally, pump trucks cannot manage such a large volume of wastewater. As a result, the combined wastewater and stormwater flows must be released into
Halifax Harbour.
What is the timeframe of this project?
April 21 – April 30.
During this period, flow to this facility will be redirected towards Combined Sewer Overflow
locations (CSOs) located upstream of the facility and into Halifax Harbour and Bedford Basin. A 5-day buffer has been added to cover any unforeseen issues, although work is anticipated to be completed within 3-4 days. By scheduling this work outside of the main tourist season, our goal was to reduce the impact on recreational and commercial activity in the harbour.
Will this impact Halifax Water services in the area?
No. All services will be maintained during this work.
How does this impact residents?
During the indicated period, we are asking customers to minimize their use of running water, flushing toilets, and doing laundry. This will help reduce pressure on the wastewater system. Anything residents can do to support this is appreciated.
How do I know if I am in the impacted area?
Refer to the map above.
How much volume will be released?
Halifax Water estimates that up to 2,000,000 m3 of wastewater will be released during this period. These locations occasionally see overflows of screened wastewater during heavy rain events due to system design to relieve pressure from high volumes in the collection system due to wet weather.
What is Halifax Water doing to minimize risk to the environment?
Halifax Water is making significant efforts to minimize the impacts of this essential work on marine habitats and the environment and will use the following mitigation measures:
- Public Notification—A public service announcement (PSA) was first sent on December 23, 2024, with a follow-up with confirmed dates sent on April 14. This was distributed to local news media outlets requesting voluntary water conservation to help further reduce wastewater flow in the collection system. It will also be amplified on our website and social media.
- Short Timeframe - Reducing the time required by having supplies and equipment all on-site, maintaining a tight schedule with safety top of mind.
- Pre-work - We have planned multiple, complex, critical projects to be completed that will all require a bypass of the plant. This, in turn, significantly limits the volumes that would be otherwise discharged through separate, individual bypass events.
Who regulates this work?
Halifax Water is regulated by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change and Environment and Climate Change Canada and is proceeding through the regulatory process for this work.
Has this work been permitted? By whom?
Halifax Water submitted a temporary bypass authorization application to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in advance of completing this work. As part of the application process, Halifax Water is required to provide details of the planned work and an overview of the methods of
communication to advise the public. The application also requires information on the discharge points, the estimated volume and the estimated duration.
Once submitted, ECCC reviews the application and provides approval or denial.
ECCC approved this application on April 3, 2025.
Throughout the maintenance window, Halifax Water is required to track and report all discharge volumes to ECCC.
Who notified of this work?
Halifax Water has notified neighbouring Mi’kmaq communities, the Shellfish Water Classification Program, and other impacted groups that utilize the harbour, i.e., diving groups, boating clubs and other key interested parties. Halifax Water has also notified the general public through public
service announcements, social media and the Halifax Water website.
Will it impact on the harbour?
The harbour has many uses, including industrial and commercial activity, so we cannot speak to its overall water quality. However, understanding that we are releasing screened, untreated effluent into the harbour, it is strongly recommended that you avoid swimming in the harbour and limit your
contact with harbour water during the planned shutdown.