Sewer main in Whitehorse no longer leaking wastewater into Yukon River, city says

WHITEHORSE – The City of Whitehorse says it has fixed a sewer main that was leaking wastewater into the Yukon River.

City crews began repairs early last week when they found a larger crack near the original leak.

Attempts to fix the damage were initially unsuccessful due to high water levels on the river and the volume of wastewater.

The city says about 1.5 per cent of Whitehorse’s wastewater moves through the pipe.

Crews began bypassing the Marwell Lift Station and diverting wastewater directly into the river to facilitate repairs on Tuesday.

The city says a repair clamp is now in place and wastewater is no longer leaking or being discharged into the river.

It says officials are sampling water at the site and downstream to assess any impacts to the river.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2022.