Canada · 1 d ago
Nearly 10 million litres of untreated wastewater spill into Winnipeg's Red River
Untreated wastewater
9.8 million litres
Two automated bypass gates at the North End water pollution control centre opened around 1:10 a.m. CT Monday. An estimated 9.8 million litres flowed into the river over about two hours and 37 minutes.
Staff found the problem when another alarm in the plant flagged a change in flow, as no alarm sounded when the gates opened. They closed the gates, and operations were back to normal at 3:47 a.m.
What we know
- The gates opened without warning
- Untreated wastewater reached the river
Not yet
- Why the gates opened
- Why no alarm sounded
- Effects on the river
The city is investigating why the gates opened and why no alarm sounded, and has not said what the spill means for the river.
Background
The North End plant is being modernized. In October 2025 the city paused ultraviolet disinfection and told residents to avoid direct contact with the river water.
