Large sewer main break in Kamloops forces downtown closures

Roads are closed and the public has been warned after a large sewer main broke in the city of Kamloops, B.C. on Monday afternoon.

It happened around 3 p.m. PT near Lorne Street and 10th Avenue, just north of the downtown core.

Sewage has leaked into several properties, according to the city, and has forced closures on LorneStreet, 10thAvenue andRiver Street.

The line is a major sewage arterial for the city's wastewater treatmentplant at Mission Flats Road, andall people living to the east of downtown will be impacted.

"This includes Rose Hill, Valleyview, Juniper, Barnhartvale, Dallas, Campbell Creek, Sun Rivers and along East Shuswap Road," the city said in a statement.

"These residents are encouraged to please limit indoor water usage until further notice to help reduce further backup and mitigate environmental impact."

In addition, some sewage has made its way into the Thompson River, and the Ministry of Environment has been notified.

Sewage is being diverted away from the break area as an interim solution, but it's unknown when repairs to the sewer main will be completed.