Stop with the careless grease disposal!

Town concerned about what’s going down the drain

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa Banner & Press

The STARS helicopter attended the accident at Kelwood on Tuesday, Jan. 24 and the van driver was taken to HSC, Winnipeg.

By Ken Waddell Neepawa Banner & Press

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Spruce Plains RCMP, along with Fire and EMS, responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a semi truck and cube truck on Highway #5 near the community of Kelwood. Driving conditions were described by people in the area as “white-out” with swirling snow on the highway when vehicles met. Preliminary investigation revealed that a North bound Semi truck was making a left turn when a North bound cube truck collided with the rear of the Semi.

The turn off of Hwy. 5 into Kelwood doesn’t have a passing lane which may have been a partial cause of the accident.

The driver of the cube truck was taken by Stars Air Ambulance to Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre with serious injuries. The driver of the Semi was not injured. A Forensic Collision Analyst attended the scene. It is believed that road conditions were a factor in this collision. The investigation is ongoing.

It’s a problem the Town of Neepawa has experienced before; the improper disposal of products such as grease causing major issues in the sewer and drainage system. During a town council meeting held on Tuesday, Jan. 17, manager of operations Denis Saquet was asked to provide details on the issue happening in the far north east corner of the community. Saquet reported that a grease plug was found in the system.

“It’s unfortunate. We’ve tried to express our concern with residents. You just can’t pour grease down the drain. There is far too much of it happening, [and] it is wreaking havoc with our system,” said Saquet.

When fat, oils and grease are poured into drains, the liquid cools and forms a hardened mass in the sewer pipe, which over time can block sewage flow.

Saquet added that the Town has been spending an exorbitant amount to combat the issue.

Councillor Darryl Gerrard elaborated on Saquet’s point, adding that the pumper truck the Town purchased just eight years ago, is worn out and almost due for replacement. He said that short of a lifespan for a vehicle like that is very unusual.

Over the years, Public Works crews have had to unclog many items from our system items that are not supposed to be flushed or drained. Residents are once again strongly advised to not pour grease down the sink or in the toilet and to not rinse grease down the sink.