Amber Gero's report on crack in large sewer

with additional information from CFRB's Jane Brown

It's being described as an emergency, a potential catastrophic event.

Listen to Amber Gero's report

Three months ago during routine checks, cracks were discovered in the concrete of a huge sewer pipe that collects sewage from areas of Toronto with a population of 750 thousand.

Officials fear the 2.4 metre wide Coxwell Sanitary Trunk Sewer Pipe could collapse at any time. That would send hundreds of millions of litres of raw sewage into the Don River.

It's impossible to shut down the line, and because of how deeply buried it is, it's difficult if not impossible to repair.

Tuesday, the Works Committee voted to spend 30 million dollars over the next two years to build a 600 metre bypass around the damaged 50 year old sewer line.

The proposal will go to City Council. Once it's approved, the race will be on to get the bypass built before the sewer line gives way.

Lou Di Gironimo, general manager of Toronto Water,  told CFRB's Bill Carroll Show with Dave Trafford, the sewer has "failed".  

Listen to Di Gironimo

 Di Geronimo says its expected to take a year and a half to build 600 metres of sewer which will bypass the cracked part.   

Reports by CFRB's Amber Gero