Winnipeg temporarily shutting off the UV treatment at North End Wastewater Treatment Plant

The City of Winnipeg says it will be temporarily shutting off the UV treatment at the North End Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The temporary measure will begin on October 1, allowing for upgrades to take place at the plant.

The City notes that water will still be treated as normal, just missing the step of the UV treatment, which uses UV lights to neutralize bacteria and viruses, meaning that wastewater being released into the Red River will have more bacteria and viruses than normal, which can be harmful to people and pets.

Due to this, residents who live within three kilometers downstream of the NEWPCC discharge will be contacted directly by the city.

Importantly, the City notes that this will not affect anyone’s drinking water.

Additionally, the City is saying that everyone should avoid direct contact with the river water when possible, wash your hands with soap and water after any direct contact with river water, use safe food handling practices when consuming fish from the river, and keep your pets from contacting or drinking the river water.

The UV treatment is expected to resume in March 2026.