Residents returning home after mystery odour in Middle Sackville
Residents are able to return home after some evacuated a Middle Sackville neighbourhood because of a strange smell caused by a petroleum substance in the sewer system.
It was just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday night when the odour was reported coming from the sewer system around Claudia Crescent, Lucy Court, and Flora Court, according to a news release from the city.
Officials went door-to-door, letting residents know they could evacuate themselves if necessary.
Later, crews found a petroleum substance, which could be gasoline, diesel, oil, or another type of petroleum product, in the catch basin at the corner of Claudia Crescent and Flora Court. “The exact material and quantity are unknown,” the city says.
Halifax Water crews flushed the system with water to isolate the material and then vacuumed it out.
Overall, about 70 homes were affected, and 15 residents stayed overnight at the Sackville Sports Stadium evacuation centre.
By about 3 a.m., crews let residents know it was safe to return home.
In a statement, the city says petroleum-based substances, like gasoline and oil, should not be dumped into the waste water system.
“Improper disposal of these substances can create public safety risks, impact the environment and disrupt municipal infrastructure,” the statement says.
