RR homeowners could face big fines

Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River homeowners could end up in deep doo doo if they are pumping storm water, ground water or surface water into the town’s sewer system.
In a special meeting Friday Rainy River town council unanimously passed by-law 1410-02 to control the discharge or redirection of surface/storm water to the municipal sanitary sewer system. The reason for the bylaw stems from the fact that when heavy rains take place the towns sewer system often quickly fills to capacity and then causes basements to back up with sewage. With two flood like events in the past two years, council has elected to go after people who are pumping their yard drainage into the sewer system.
The bylaw authorizes a town employee to inspect every household in Rainy River in the next few months. Households found to be in violation of the law will be given until May 1, 2003 to correct the problem and then a follow up inspection will be held.
Failure to rectify the problem will result in a fine up to $10,000 for a first conviction. If they persist in pumping surface/storm water into the sewer system, a second conviction could result in a fine up to $25,000.
The bylaw states that council must give homeowners a minimum notice of 48 hours before inspection can take place.
Notices containing more information on the issue and inspections will be in the November sewer and water bills.