Sewage plant pumps now up-and-running

All four sewage pumps are now up and running at Thunder Bay's Sewage Treatment plant a milestone that may mean the city may lift its request for residents to reduce water consumption.

The demand has been in placesince May 28,when the city was overwhelmed by massive flooding and the sewage treatment plant broke down.

The plant is now running at full capacity, said Darrell Matson, the city's general manager of infrastructure, during a council meeting Monday night.

"As of about 5:45 p.m., the two pumps that we were attempting to commission ... have been successful. So, we now have two 500 horsepower motors driving these main sewage pumps."

Water bill credits

During the meeting, council also approved a water bill credit for homeowners affected by the flood. City council approved a credit for $207 to water bills for homes connected to the city's sanitary sewer system and $118 for homes not connected to the system. Impacted residents will also beexempt from late penalties on their next water bill.

City administration said about 3,000 homeowners could be eligible for the rebate. The one-time cost will add up to about $600,000.