Upstream battle

A homeowner complained to us about a pipe outlet on his property that was leaking foul-smelling fluid. His municipality referred him to the Ministry of Transportation, which denied responsibility. Our inquiries determined that it was a matter for the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. We learned it had conducted an investigation, traced the sewage spill to a commercial plaza upstream, and instructed the business to resolve the issue. The homeowner told us that although the sewage had stopped, storm water was still flowing from the pipe. After we followed up with both ministries and the municipality, the Ministry of Transportation had the storm drain filled with cement. The homeowner confirmed that this resolved the issue.