What could have been a threatening situation to the environment and public health in Winnipeg, Manitoba, was luckily halted.
On Sunday morning, approximately 25 gallons of disinfected laboratory waste water flowed backwards through collector pipes at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health.
At no time did any waste water leak outside the building, nor was there any risk of harm to humans, animals or the environment, according to officials.
A sterilization chamber in a waste treatment tank overheated leading to high temperature and pressure in the lines which caused some leakage within the laboratory.
Safety procedures for such lab incidents were followed and the waste water was fully contained within the facility, collected and re-disinfected.
According to lab officials, the pipes have been repaired, the drain line system re-tested, and the equipment is back in operation.
The incident has been reviewed by Health Canada's Office of Safety and Environmental Services as part of the normal safety protocol.
Lab officials informed the waste water manager for the City of Winnipeg and representatives from Manitoba Environment of the situation.
The centre was put under the microscope last summer after human error was blambed for the release of wastewater into city sewers.