Petroleum Substance in Sewer Causes Evacuations in Middle Sackville
An emergency response was triggered in Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia, after a petroleum-based substance poured into a sewer catch basin caused an unusual chemical odour. Approximately 70 households were affected, with residents self-evacuating and sheltering overnight before the situation was resolved early Friday morning.
Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) and Halifax Water crews responded to reports of an unusual chemical odour in the sewer system in Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia, on the evening of Thursday, September 24. First responders arrived at the scene around 8:30 p.m. after residents reported smelling chemicals coming from their homes and the local sewer infrastructure.
The incident occurred in the area bounded by Claudia Crescent, Lucy Court, Flora Court, and Old Sackville Drive. Approximately 70 households were affected by the odour. Residents self-evacuated as needed, and an evacuation centre was opened at the Sackville Sports Stadium, where about 15 people took shelter overnight.
Investigations by Halifax Water traced the source of the smell to a catch basin located at the corner of Claudia Crescent and Flora Court. The cause was identified as a petroleum-based substance that had been poured directly into the basin. While the specific material and quantity remain unknown, crews worked to resolve the issue by flushing water through the sewer system and vacuuming out the substance for proper disposal.
The situation was declared resolved at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, allowing residents to return home. In the aftermath, the municipality issued a reminder that hazardous materials, including petroleum-based substances such as gas, diesel, oil, and solvents, should never be discharged into the wastewater system.