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Residents returning home after mystery odour in Middle Sackville

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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.

Shevlin Wood Yard (2)(1)

Fort Frances council supports sewer/water project for further housing development in former woodyard

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Fort Frances council is approving a key project that supports development in the former Shevlin Woodyard.

More than $657,000 will be spend on a connection to bring sewer and water services to the area.

The project coincides with plans by a private developer to establish a 24-unit apartment complex.

Councillor John McTaggart says while the price tag may be a little concerning, it is still necessary to kickstart development of the woodyard.

“And this is really, I think, our investment into getting that particular piece of property developed,” says McTaggart.

He adds the planned apartment complex is dependent upon the tie-in of water and sewer services.

“So I see it as an investment, something that we can show a tangible effort made by the town when we go out looking for other funders for the rest of the wood yard.”

Councillor Wendy Brunetta agrees.

“We have to keep in mind that development always includes the municipality. It’s not something we can 100 % just put on developers. So in order to grow, we need to put some money behind it,” says Brunetta.

Mayor Andrew Hallikas is also supportive, saying that the housing project is desperately needed in the community.

“And this is a very, very important step. A lot of people that will be moving into these apartments will be giving up uh standalone houses, which will open up the housing market to young professionals and young families,” says Hallikas.

The town intends to use existing reserve funds to cover the construction costs.

The work would include connections from the Reid Avenue and Scott Street intersection into the former woodyard.

Shevlin Wood Yard (2)(1)

Fort Frances council to consider sewer and water services to former wood yard

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The first development within the former Shevlin Wood Yard in Fort Frances could happen this year.

A portion of the property was handed over to a private developer last October.

Council is expected to discuss a plan to bring sewer and water services to the area at its meeting on Monday.

A report from Administration says costs could be around $657,000, paid for through existing reserve accounts.

Some design work was done to determine servicing options and help with the cost estimates.

The report suggests that to accommodate new lines into the former wood yard, the intersection of Reid Avenue and Scott Street would have to be dug up.

That section of roadway was upgraded last year.

Administration states that there are other areas where lines could be connected, but advises against them.

It states the town would have dual mains along Scott Street that could increase long-term
maintenance and replacement costs.

Plans to bring sewer and water service into the wood yard were not included in the 2026 budget.

Atikokan council meeting Jan 12 2026

Atikokan council eyes 4.5% increase to water/sewer bills

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Atikokan council is agreeing to a 4.5 percent increase to water and sewer bills in the community.

That mirrors the recommendations of the town’s asset management plan, which suggests increases of 3.7% to water rates and 5.5% to sewer rates for the next 20 years.

That works out to a $50 increase, bringing residential bills to $1,150 for the year.

Mayor Rob Ferguson feels it is a fair increase.

“We need to maintain and fix our water and wastewater system,” says Ferguson.

The increase will provide an extra $78,685 for the sewer and water system.

Councillor Liz Shine says increasing rates addresses the need to keep the system in good shape and to have the system self-funded.

“It is part of our asset management plan, so it only makes sense that we’re following that,” says Shine.

“As well, if we didn’t mandate that we have to be self-sufficient, it was the government that’s bringing it down.”

The province has long hinted that municipalities should prepare for their water systems to be fully cost-recovered, but has yet to legislate the action.

“Nobody likes to see anything rise, but it’s a comfortable figure, and we have to work towards attaining self-sufficiency, so a little bit at a time,” says Councillor Jim Johnson.

Despite the increase, Atikokan’s rates remain among the lowest in northwestern Ontario.

Only five other communities have lower water and sewer costs.

Fort Frances water treatment plant

Fort Frances water/sewer bills increasing 4.5%

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Residents in Fort Frances will pay 4.54% more for water and sewer services this year.

It increases the bill from $1,149.00 to $1,201 for the year.

That works out to a monthly rise of $4.35.

Industrial, institutional and commercial users with water meters will see rates increase 4.49%, though the minimum rate rises $4.51%.

Combined, the increased rates will generate $6,482,478 in revenue, specifically for improvements to the water and sewer system.

That is an increase of $244,719.16 over what the town expected to collect last year.

In a report, administration notes that more than $50 million is needed to upgrade sewer and water lines.

The town’s asset management plan identifies over 30km of sanitary sewer in poor or worse condition, costing $29.5 million to replace.

Over 40 km of watermain in similar condition has been identified, costing $22.2 million to replace.

The report also notes that its sanitary lift stations need repairs, estimated at $1.5 million or more.

Administration also notes the need for ongoing maintenance at the water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant.

The water plant is 40 years old, while the wastewater plant is 60 years old.