The northwestern Ontario town of Fort Frances has declared a state of emergency following heavy rainfall over the past few days.

Mayor Roy Avis declared the emergency Thursday due to the current saturation of the ground and weather forecasts showing more precipitation on the way.

Officials say the town's sewage treatment plant is in bypass mode as of Thursday morning and sections of the sanitary sewer collection system are operating at maximum capacity.

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Residents of Fort Frances and nearby Couchiching First Nation are being asked to ensure their sump pumps are not connected to the storm sewer system.

They're also being asked not to discharge any wastewater from their homes into the sewer system until further notice due to localized basement flooding.