A sewage spill into the Winnipeg River back in September could cost the City of Kenora dearly.

Director of Engineering and Infrastructure Greg Breen says the cost of clean-up, replacing broken and damaged equipment is considerable.

“There’s no question the total costs are going to be into the seven-figure range for these immediate repairs and the items related to the overflow event,” Breen explained to council earlier this week.

“Just trying to give that lens.  A million or two million dollars.  Potentially a little more than that.  Not out of the range of possibility.”

Breen says the actual incident took place on September 16th and caused considerable damage.

“When those screw pumps failed, there was nothing stopping the continuous incoming flow into the plant.  So, wastewater literally overflowed the walls of the aeration tanks, and down the bank and made its way into the river.”

He adds that one of the other buildings experienced significant flooding during the event and many pieces of equipment and the electrical systems were damaged.

Breen says they are seeking emergency procurement funding from city reserves for the sewage clean-up, design work and equipment replacement.

He adds the city has also sent a claim to its insurance company, but there is no guarantee they are going to cover some or all of the costs.

Breen says the costs don’t include any fines the city might receive from the Ministry of Environment.