Flooding Update

- Notice of Completion - March 2, 2011


November 1 2010: The City of Ottawa held an open house in relation to the flooding that occurred in July of 2009. The presentation offers specific details on what the plans are to address the flooding issues. If there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Councillor's office or Damien Whittaker, a Water Resources Engineer with the City, by e-mail at damien.whittaker@ottawa.ca or by phone at 613-580-2424 x 16968.


The July 24, 2009 rainfall event caused flooding in many areas of the community.

City Staff are currently involved in the full investigation of the rainfall event of July 24. The investigation consists of five phases.
Phase 1 - Background data collection (completed, report on website)
Phase 2 - Assessment and problem definition (completed, report on website)
Phase 3 - Identification and evaluation of alternative solutions (ongoing)
Phase 4 - Development and approval of action plan (ongoing)
Phase 5 - Implementation of approved action plan (ongoing)

Phase 3,4 and 5 are ongoing concurrently as staff have the appropriate research to make alteration to our current systems. This work will ensure the systems are running properly to reduce the risk of flooding, however if we experience other higher that average rainfalls the City will not be able to guarantee that your home will never flood. Later this year a final report will be completed and will outline all of the work to take place.

An estimated budget of $20 million over three years has been identified, including $4 million in spending for 2010 with work that will begin immediately based on the results of the completed investigation. For additional information on sewer backups and basement flooding please visit: http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/waterwaste/backups/index_en.html.

A number of residents submitted claims with the City of Ottawa regarding the damages they incurred and the City is still reviewing those claims as there is an on going City investigation regarding the causes of the flooding. Once the investigation is complete then the City will be in the position to reply to the claims. For information on submitting claims to the City of Ottawa please visit: http://www.ottawa.ca/city_hall/claims/index_en.html.

To provide additional protection to your home please apply for the City's Protective Plumbing Grant. Information on this grant can be found at http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/funding/protective_plumbing_en.html.


On February 17, 2010 I held a public meeting with City Staff to provide an update to residents on the current process. At the meeting City staff discussed the specific areas where flooding occurred in Stittsville and identified the causes and possible solutions for each area. Definite solutions were not provided at the meeting, as the research is currently ongoing.

For more information please contact my office and for detailed questions please also contact the below City staff:
 
Alain Gonthier, Manager, Asset Management, Infrastructure Services Department:
 
Alain.Gonthier@ottawa.ca
613-580-2424 x21197
Michel Chevalier, Manager, Wastewater & Drainage Operations, Environmental Services Department:
Michel.Chevalier@ottawa.ca
613-580-2424 x22335

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