Residential Sewage Complaint

This practice scenario is based on a real investigation I conducted with one of my students.  The case touches on several key public health concepts, from environmental sampling to inter-agency communication, and it’s a great example of how investigations in the field rarely unfold in neat, textbook fashion.

While it’s likely longer and more complex than what you’ll encounter on the CIPHI oral exam, it’s an excellent way to practice thinking through a multifaceted problem from start to finish.

Go over all of the questions and practice giving your answers out loudbefore you click the link to check your answers.

HH-004 Sewage Smell In Residential Drainage Ditch

Health Hazards - 4 Questions

You are contacted by multiple residents of a housing development.  They report that every time it rains, a strong sewage smell comes from the shared drainage ditch that runs behind their houses. 

The ditch runs between two rows of homes, and several properties have buried sump pump discharge lines that empty into it. There are catch basins located every 50 meters along the ditch. 

No visible sewage is present, but the odour is consistent and noticeable during wet weather.  The residents are concerned about potential health risks and want Public Health to investigate.

1) What steps would you take to investigate this complaint?

2) What potential sources could explain the sewage smell?

3) What agencies or other parties would you involve in this investigation and why?

4) You determine through dye testing that one house has improperly hooked up a basement toilet to the sump discharge. What would you do?

Ready to check your answers? Click the button below to download the full answer key.