Tag: Timberlea sewer backup

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Economic Ft Mac Health Politics

Decision on Financial Aid for Residents Affected by Timberlea Sewer Backup Delayed Once More

Timberlea sewer backup, financial aid

There was some hope that residents would see some financial aid for the Timberlea sewer backups that happened on July 12, 2015 before Christmas arrived but that does not look like it is going to happen any time soon. During a council meeting the administration for Wood Buffalo discussed the investigative report that was completed. According to this report both Surmont Sand & Gravel Ltd. And the Wood Buffalo municipality were in the clear and were determined not to be negligible or liable for any of the damage that the Timberlea sewer backups caused to the possessions and property of the residents. In total 65 homes in Timberlea had sewer backup problems that caused sewage to flood the basements of the properties. There was a severe rainstorm on the morning of July 12, and the report emphasized more than once that the Timberlea sewer backups would have occurred no matter what because the storm and rain were so severe.

Financial aid for the Timberlea sewer backup issue has not been denied completely. Approximately 10 Timberlea residents who were affected by the sewer backups attended the meeting and they were very vocal with their questions and concerns. The weather data used from the report was taken from the rain gauge at Fort MacMurray International Airport, and some residents were critical of this data because of the distance between the homes affected and the airport. Those who were affected talked about having tens of thousands of dollars in damage from the event. Annie Simpson was one of the residents who were skeptical of the data. According to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Scoble “It’s the data we have.”

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Economic Ft Mac Health

RMWB Council Considers Financial Aid for Those Affected by Timberlea Sewer Backup

Timberlea sewer backup, RMWB council

The RMWB council is considering possible options in order to provide some form of financial aid to those who have been affected by the Timberlea sewer backup. As part of the process the council received presentations from both residents and administrators for the municipality. The presentations offered included facts and concerns about the severe rain storm on July 12 which has received blame from some for the sewer system being overwhelmed and backing up. During the storm 64 different residences had a sewer backup, and there were assertions that the large storm caused problems with an inadequate sewer system. Kevin Scoble, the Deputy CAO, believes that the current updates being added should resolve the problem and give an assurance of 98% that the backups will not happen again.

One issue that some residents expressed concern about to the RMWB council was the delays that could lead to a future Timberlea sewer backup. The upgrade project has two parts, the upstream area and the downstream area. The downstream area is being done by Dene Sky, and the upgrades will be finished on time. The upstream area is being done by Surmont Sand & Gravel Ltd., and it will only be around 65% finished when construction season ends later this year. The upstream area is also where there have been several waterline breaks caused by the construction, leading to further delays and even complete stops in the wok being done at times. Residents who have had to deal with the sewer backups in Timberlea are upset and angry, and they want something done.

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Economic Ft Mac Health Politics

Angry Residents Demand Answers After Timberlea Sewer Backup

Timberlea sewer backup, angry residents

Dozens of angry residents are demanding answers over a month after a Timberlea sewer backup flooded basements and causing thousands of dollars in damage to homes which were affected. The residents have questions that have not been answered, and they want to know what steps are being taken to help them out. On July 12 there were severe rainstorms which lasted around 4 hours, from approximately 4 am until around 8 am and this caused a backup of sewage into homes on Burns Place, Brett Drive, Brosseau Crescent, and Berard Crescent on the south side of Timberlea. The residences had flooring, drywall, and furnishing damages. In a number of cases residents are looking at clean up costs which far exceed any flood insurance policies and benefits that they had.

Berard Crescent Anne Simpson estimates around $50,000 in damages from the Timberlea sewer backup to her home, and said “I would say most people are the same as us. Alberta’s insurance companies have put limits on sewer backups, and most people have $20,000. And that’s what we have.” Many angry residents believe that the flooding was caused at least in part by the Confederation Way sewer bypass project. RMWB engineering department director Emdad Haque disputes this and blames the flooding on a once in a 25 year chance thunderstorm. Anne Simpson said “They’ve made some claims of a one-in-25 year flood, that I think no one supports or believes. I’d really like to believe that the city is doing an investigation and will come out with the truth … It just feels a little bit, in this circumstance, things are being covered up.”