Inuvik (Feb 28/05) - For the second time this year, a utilidor in Inuvik has sprung a leak, leaving town workers with a stinking mess to clean.

Approximately 20 cubic metres of raw sewage poured from a blocked pipe on Thursday, near the shores of Twin Lakes, said Rick Campbell, director of public works for the Town of Inuvik.

The sickening stench of waste was still strong near this broken utilidor pipe draped with frozen sewage in Inuvik, Thursday. - Chris Hunsley/NNSL photo

The residential area was the scene of another leak earlier in the year.

"It's not exactly in the same spot, but it's the same general area," said Campbell.

Officials say the spill is not a health hazard as long as it remains frozen.

"Not unless you go and lick the ice," Campbell said.

Once the waste material is entirely frozen, crews will move in with heavy machinery to transport the waste to the nearby sewage lagoon.

"Once it freezes we'll go in and chop up the ice," said Campbell.

"It's a little difficult to move when liquid."

Due to the small volume of waste matter spilled, the depressed area where it occurred and its frozen state until clean up, it's unlikely any pollutants will leach into the lakes.

"There might be traces that wash into the lake come spring," said Anne Wilson, water pollution specialist with Environment Canada in Yellowknife. But it shouldn't be a cause for concern, she said.

It's believed the blockage was caused by people flushing improper items down the toilet.

"You would be amazed what people flush down their toilets," said Campbell.

Jean jackets, sweaters, toys, grease and other non-sewage items build up and eventually lead to a rupture in the system, he said.

"People have to start being careful what they put in the sewer system."

Because gravity is used to move Inuvik's 2,000 cubic metres of daily waste - not mechanized pumps or lift stations - the utilidors can be susceptible to problems.

"It doesn't take much sometimes to block them off," said Campbell.