Sewergate: Ontario gives Hamilton more time for Chedoke Creek cleanup

The province is giving Hamilton a bit more time to plan the cleanup of sewage-soaked Chedoke Creek and Cootes Paradise marsh.

The Spectator revealed in November 2019 that an open sewer gate spilled 24 billion litres of sewage into the west-end creek over four years. The city argued no further cleanup was needed - but Ontario rejected that do nothing approach" last month and ordered Hamilton to submit a creek-dredging plan by Jan. 22.

The city asked for a review of the aggressive" timeline in the provincial order. On Friday, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks issued a new director's order that provides more time - although not much.

The new order requires the city to submit a remediation work plan" by Feb. 22 for the polluted sludge in the creek. Dredging is still supposed to be done by October, but the new order leaves open the option of a deadline extension.

The new order also gives the city until March 22 to submit a report on possible mitigation" measures for a Cootes Paradise marsh awash in sewage-linked nutrients that can lead to algae blooms.

The city has the option of appealing the latest order to the provincial Environmental Review Tribunal, but a spokesperson said Friday night officials are still reviewing the document.

Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com