A cleanup operation is currently being conducted in a neighborhood of north Scarborough following a watermain break that resulted in significant discolored water discharge into Highland Creek, provoking concern among local residents.
A video that was briefly shared on a Toronto Reddit page on Tuesday morning showed a white substance flowing into Highland Creek, located just south of Finch Avenue East and east of Brimley Road. The user questioned, “What is turning the creek white?” Several commenters suggested promptly reporting the situation to the City of Toronto, although the post was later removed by moderators.
CityNews visited the site on Tuesday afternoon, where city crews had deployed booms in an attempt to curb the flow of discolored water downstream. However, evidence of the murky water was seen half a kilometer away at Iroquois Park, where it pooled along the creek.
CityNews first reached out to city officials on Tuesday regarding the Scarborough neighborhood incident. In a statement released by Liza Ballantyne, the Director of Environment and Emergency Planning at Toronto Water, it was revealed that the watermain break occurred at 1571 Sandhurst Circle, which corresponds to Woodside Square Mall’s address. This location is approximately 250 meters east of where the water discharge took place.
Ballantyne's statement indicated that city staff had instructed the property owner and their contractor on appropriate steps for managing the city infrastructure cleanup once the repair was completed. Additionally, the property owner was advised to contact the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks regarding cleanup requirements for Highland Creek.
City officials acknowledged the inconvenience posed to nearby residents and expressed gratitude for their patience as ongoing efforts were made to resolve the issue and restore normal conditions swiftly. When queried about the steps and timelines directed to the property owner, Ballantyne noted that this responsibility lies with the Ontario government. It remains unclear whether any water quality testing will be conducted, as inquiries directed to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks from CityNews went unanswered as of Wednesday evening.
From the city's perspective, the nature of what flowed into Highland Creek is still uncertain, though officials stated they were "not aware of any harmful substances being discharged.” Woodside Square representatives confirmed the watermain break on Tuesday, reporting that repair crews were dispatched immediately and the issue was resolved by around 3 a.m. on Wednesday. According to their statement, the release consisted of water mixed with naturally occurring soil and sediment displaced by the break, and they committed to cleaning up the affected area while working cooperatively with the City of Toronto.
Advocates Stress the Ongoing Need for Water Protections in Scarborough and Across Ontario, Transparency
With other unrelated spills impacting portions of Highland Creek and surrounding watersheds throughout the Greater Toronto Area, environmental advocates have underscored the urgent need for water protections and greater transparency. Sarah Buchanan, Director of Public Campaigns at the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA), expressed her concerns regarding the mounting pressure on Toronto’s urban ecologies and emphasized the significance of understanding the implications for local ecosystems and community health, especially for those who frequent the area.
Buchanan urged that residents should be aware of the conditions, particularly if they or their pets engage with the waters in the area. After years of activism, the City of Toronto has implemented reporting mechanisms helpful for tracking these incidents, such as the ChemTRAC program, which monitors chemical emissions into the air.
Ashley Wallis, Associate Director at Environmental Defence Canada, indicated that in Ontario, entities that pollute must legally notify the province of any discharge incidents and bear cleanup costs. If a responsible party fails to comply, the provincial government has the authority to mandate that individual or company to execute the cleanup at their expense. “A variety of pollutants emanate from urban regions, presenting significant problems, including road salts, which ultimately flow into storm drains and subsequently into waterways, negatively impacting aquatic species and ecosystems,” she said.
She further highlighted the necessity of enhancing transparency surrounding these reports. “There should be signage to inform the public about spill notifications, yet there is no centralized resource where community members can find comprehensive information about such pollutants or spills.”
Buchanan emphasized the importance of upholding the polluter-pay principle, which is currently enshrined in Ontario’s legislation. Both she and Wallis expressed concerns regarding proposed changes under Bill 140, the Building Ontario Faster Act 2026, which may potentially alter existing frameworks concerning pollution reporting and the rights of residents in environmental matters, as the bill is presently being considered by the Ontario legislature.
For Ontarians who observe suspicious spills or discharges, they are encouraged to report these incidents to the provincial Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060, as well as notify local municipal authorities.
