The township of Atikokan will pay a $50 thousand fine for a violation under the Ontario Water Resources Act.

The fine was part of a plea agreement in a case that started in 2021 when the town was cited for failing to make upgrades to two sewage pumping stations, required as part of a 2018 sewer lawsuit agreement.

The town says the work was completed but not within a deadline agreed upon by the Ministry of the Environment and the town.

Numerous challenges were encountered, including cost overruns, and requests for extensions were denied by the Ministry.

As part of the town pleading guilty to the offence, an infraction for failing to submit a required report was withdrawn.

The town maintained the information was submitted in an alternate format before the due date.

Another offence related to the installation of sewage backflow preventers remains outstanding.

The town says further discussions with the province are needed.

Since the issuance of the orders, the town has completed almost $15 million worth of upgrades to the sewage collection system.

Officials say the investments give the town a system designed to withstand severe storms without it backing up or having to bypass for many years.