Ontario Provincial Board of Health Annual Report, 1922
District 6 Report, pg. 172
Sewers and Sewerage
North Bay – Undoubtedly the most important matter dealt with under this heading was the action taken against the town of North Bay for putting sludge from their septic tanks on the ice of Lake Nipissing. The sludge had collected in the tanks for a year and has completely filled them, so that the sewerage was running through the tanks without septic action. The result was that the sewers were discharging raw sewerage into the Lake. The sludge in the tanks was largely free from dangerous organisms since the time the sludge had lain there was much beyond the usual lifetime of these organisms. For the reasons enumerated, the sewerage going into the lake was the only serious menace (if it could be termed such) to a body of water which is not being used as a public water supply by any municipality. In spite of this, however, because so many complaints were received, due to the fact that the sludge was before the eyes of the public and also because the placing of sludge on the ice of the lake, even though not dangerous, is contrary to the provisions of Section 91 of the Public Health Act, legal proceedings were instituted against the town. The municipality was found guilty, but because of its assurance that it would not occur again the sentence was suspended. It is quite probable also that the fact that the disposal of sewerage by the great majority of municipalities within the Province is contrary to the provisions of Section 91 of the Public Health Act, influenced the Magistrate.
From my observations in this case, I would strongly recommend either that Section 91 be enforced or be amended so as to permit the Board to exercise its judgment.
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