Following the major rupture of a sewer line in the fall of 2019 in the Moisie sector, the city of Sept-Îles was forced to carry out significant repair work. In this context, Activa Environnement was contracted to carry out the environmental characterization as well as to prepare the various authorization requests required for this project.

In the fall of 2019, erosion caused damage to the outfall of the Moisie sector screen rake. Following inspection of the installations, it was noted that the marine portion of the line was severed at three locations, which resulted in a discharge of sewage directly onto the beach as well as erosion of the seabed as a result of these breaks. The city of Sept-Îles entered into discussions with Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change on how to go about carrying out the repairs. The two parties agreed to divide the work into two phases.

The first phase consisted of laying a new underground pipe running 400 metres from shore toward the middle of the St. Lawrence. In the second phase, the diffuser of this pipe was reinforced with rockfill. With an estimated price tag of $3M, the work began in spring 2020 and was completed the following summer.