Latest Update: June 15, 2026|1:00 pm
On May 26, 2026, the Comox Valley Regional District responded to a major sewer leak from the Comox Pump Station in Comox. The leak resulted in untreated effluent entering the marine environment – requiring a Do Not Flush order for properties in Courtenay, Comox and K’omoks First Nation until the leak was successfully repaired. The incident is under investigation now.
Follow along below for the latest information:
- Water quality advisories were lifted for most of Comox Harbour and the Estuary on June 3. Testing has shown consistently safe results for all areas outside of the immediate spill area (see news update here). A water quality advisory remains in place for the foreshore between Jane Place and the Comox Wharf as well as the water within the Comox Harbour Authority east marina (see map below)
- Water quality has been deemed safe for public access at popular recreation sites such as Goose Spit, “Little Mexico”, Gartley Beach, Courtenay River, Lewis Park, Point Holmes and Tree Island. The west side of the Comox Harbour wharf is also deemed safe.
- The CVRD has collated test results received to date and have published them below. Test results will continue to be posted as they are received.
- On June 8, Fisheries and Oceans revoked all emergency closures for shellfish that were put in place immediately following the leak. All sample results have met standards outlined in the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program. View the Fishery Notice here.
- Please note: On June 9, an emergency closure was implemented in Subarea 14-4 following reports of a hydro-carbon spill in the area. This is unrelated to the sewage leak. For updates on this closure, access notices from Fisheries and Oceans Canada here.
- Environmental consultants have investigated reports of toilet paper found on area beaches in Royston and have confirmed it to be dried, bleached seaweed. The plant is Ulva (sea lettuce) and its presence on the beach is unrelated to the sewage leak.
- The cause of the leak is currently under investigation. More information will be shared with the community when available.
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Current Testing and Results
Water quality testing has been completed since May 26 throughout Comox Harbour and Estuary, and at popular recreational sites to assess potential impacts of the sewage leak from Jane Place Pump Station.
The results are being shared below. More results will be added as they are received.
How to read these results:
- Tests were completed for Enterococcus – the bacteria that Island Health measures in marine environment to determine safe swimming levels.
- Island Health advises that water is safe for human activity if results are BELOW 35CFU/100mL.
- Shaded boxes show results above those limits, indicating unsafe conditions for human activity in the water.
- As of June 2, testing is moving to a weekly schedule.
