The City of Timmins has completed emergency repairs and clean-out of the primary anaerobic digester at the Mattagami Water Pollution Control Plant from a build-up of solids, rags, and debris. The total cost to date is $1.2 million with more than $2.2 million committed to address immediate infrastructure risks and maintain the treatment process and compliance. No overflows or bypasses occurred as a result of repairs.
The Mattagami Water Pollution Control Plant began experiencing issues with the anaerobic digester in late February due to solids buildup that was blocking the recirculating pumps. Plant operators worked diligently to maintain treatment processes and ensure continued compliance with all effluent limits. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) was notified immediately, and the City maintained regular communication and weekly updates as repairs were addressed.
“This situation reinforces why we ask residents to only flush human waste and toilet paper,” said Ken Krcel, Director of Public Works and Environmental Services. “No wipes in Pipes. Even wipes labeled ‘flushable’ do not break down like toilet paper. This can cause serious clogs in your home plumbing and in the City’s wastewater system, leading to expensive repairs and backups.”
Work is currently being carried out to commission the primary digester before clean-out begins on secondary digesters. Relining is now planned for both the primary and secondary digesters as part of the 2026 capital budget. The work will ensure the long-term integrity of critical treatment infrastructure and reduce the likelihood of future emergency expenditures.