A watermain break at Woodside Square Mall sent discoloured water into Highland Creek in north Scarborough, prompting a cleanup effort and leaving questions about water-quality testing and the timetable for restoring the creek, CityNews reported.

Mall representatives told CityNews the break happened Tuesday, Nov. 10, and crews were called immediately. They said the problem was fixed around 3 a.m. Wednesday and that cleanup of the affected area had been arranged.

“Based on the information available to us, the release consisted of water along with naturally occurring soil and sediment displaced by the break,” the mall said in a statement to the broadcaster.

CityNews reporter Nick Westoll visited the creek Tuesday afternoon and observed city crews placing booms to try to slow or stop the discoloured discharge from travelling downstream. Murky water was also pooling at Iroquois Park, about half a kilometre south.

The discharge was visible just south of Finch Avenue East, east of Brimley Road. Toronto Water identified the site of the break as 1571 Sandhurst Circle, the mall’s address. The edge of the property is roughly 250 metres east of the discharge location.

Liza Ballantyne, Toronto Water’s director of environment and emergency planning, told CityNews that municipal staff had instructed the property owner and contractor on safely managing cleanup of city infrastructure after repairs were completed.

The owner was also advised to contact Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for direction on cleanup requirements for Highland Creek.

Asked Wednesday about those directions and associated deadlines, Ballantyne said those matters would fall to the provincial government. CityNews reported that its inquiries to the ministry remained unanswered as of Wednesday evening. It was also unclear what water-quality testing, if any, would take place.

Ballantyne said the city was “not aware of any harmful substances being discharged,” although the exact contents of the material entering the creek were not immediately clear from the municipality’s perspective.

The mall said it was working cooperatively with the city and thanked tenants, customers and neighbours for their patience.

Sources