Friends Roger, David and Tommy play on the shore of Frobisher Bay where several hundred thousand litres of untreated sewage spilled between April and July. Many residents know the spills occurred. Few people realize the volume. - Kirsten Murphy/NNSL photo

Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 16/01) - Environment Canada is investigating the spilling of an estimated 300,000 litres of human waste into Koojesse Inlet between April and July this year.

Fish and shellfish in Frobisher Bay were exposed to untreated fecal bacteria, said investigator and enforcement officer Neil Scott. The impact on human health, if any, is not known.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not issued a public advisory to avoid shellfish harvested near the area, however. Boaters and children continue to frequent the shoreline.

Many parents knew of the spills last week. Few people knew the amount.

"That's bad. I had no idea," said one father, as his son and friends played along the bay.

Scott returned to Yellowknife Friday. With him went two weeks of site surveys and city sewage reports. He could not talk about case specifics.

"We consider this to be serious because of the amount (of untreated) waste and the length of time (three months)," Scott said.

"Anyone eating shellfish puts themselves at risk of ingesting bacteria associated with sewage ... I would certainly exercise caution."

The city's role in maintaining the sewage system and sewage lagoon are pivotal to the investigation. But Matthew Hough, city director of engineering and public works, offered little comment.

"It's under investigation by Environment Canada and we're co-operating the best we can," he said.

When asked why the public was not notified, Hough said, "not necessary."

Scott said there was no evidence suggesting the city's two pumphouses -- also known as lift stations -- were unattended. Nor is there evidence, as of yet, indicating a power outage caused the spill. Scott declined to comment further on suspected causes.

The spills could violate the Fisheries Act and charges could be laid, Scott said.

The city was convicted in 1993 for similar spills two years earlier. The town was under different management at the time.

One boater shrugged off news of the recent spills. "I'd be more concerned about household chemicals than organic pollutants," he said.

The investigation could take months to complete. Results will go to several government offices, including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

DFO habitat biologist Jordan DeGroot could not be reached by press time.