Untreated wastewater continues flowing into the canal between Västra hamnen and Slottsparken at 300 liters per second after cracks were found in an old main sewer line. The discharge, which began after an announcement on May 4, is scheduled to run until midnight Thursday.
The canal water has turned brown with floating toilet paper and a strong sewage smell. Local resident Daniel Hammarsten calls the situation completely crazy and expresses concern about the environmental impact.
VA Syd has cordoned off the area with booms and uses a suction truck to limit damage. Department head Liselotte Stålhandske says the leak is unusual on such a large pipe and that samples are being taken to monitor environmental effects.
Residents in central and western Malmö received SMS alerts urging them to avoid unnecessary flushing, long showers and machine washing. VA Syd reports a seven percent drop in flow already.
The pipe is old and a replacement is not expected until 2035. The discharge resembles what happens during heavy rain but is now more extensive.
