Lucknow residents want Veolia Water held accountable for sewage in their basements
By Liz Dadson

 

Huron-Kinloss council - sewage problem still a problem

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Lucknow residents want Veolia Water held accountable for sewage in their basements
By Liz Dadson

A group of Lucknow residents believe Veolia Water did not manage the village's wastewater system properly during a flooding incident in December, 2008, and should be held accountable.

Jackie Wilson, speaking on behalf of the residents Monday night (April 6), said several people had major damage to their basements when sewage backed up into them, just after Christmas last year. They disagree with the wastewater operator's explanation that it was just the back-flow check valves in their homes that malfunctioned, causing the problem.

Mayor Mitch Twolan said Veolia maintains the system and if there is a breach, it must call for a bypass (pouring raw sewage into the river) to alleviate a high water incident. "They are under contract with us to use their judgement when making that decision," he said.

"Who's going to pay for the damage to our basements?" asked Wilson, noting that Veolia also said it was the fact that the houses are located on a floodplain that caused the problem. However, not all the houses affected are in the floodplain, she said. "I have no sump pump because I haven't needed one. Our concern is that Veolia is not maintaining the system properly."

Councillor Anne Eadie said that a letter Wilson has from the MOE, indicates that a bypass caen be used to protect the basements from being flooded with sewage.

"If you allow a bypass, you have to go to the MOE (Ontario Ministry of the Environment) and plead your case or they charge you," said public works director Hugh Nichol.
"A bypass is done only to protect the system," said councillor Jim Hanna. "I think what was done was appropriate."

Eadie said council should check into this further. "We should use some common sense here. These people suffered $17,000 damage, $30,000 damage. We need to prevent this in the future."

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11/04/2009 10:53 PM

Nichol said a policy could be set up but then the township takes its chances with the MOE.

Wilson said she lives on the river. "If I had water in my basement, I would understand, but this was sewage backing up." She said during that same flooding incident, Kincardine brought in pumper trucks to alleviate the pressure on its system. "Veolia did that Tuesday but it was too late," she said. "I already had six inches of (effluent) in my basement."

Wilson said one resident, a 75-year-old man, sat on a five-gallon bucket all night that Sunday (Dec. 28) pumping crap out of his basement. "You say that's okay?" she asked. "Veolia did nothing. I called them and then they opened the bypass."

Other homeowners did not know who to call once sewage started running into their basements. One woman said her shower was like a fountain full of crap. Pat Broome said he bailed sewage out of his shower all night.

"It's an unfortunate situation," said councillor Lillian Abbott.

Wilson said Veolia employees were at a restaurant in Lucknow on the Sunday saying there was no problem with the system. "They did nothing," she said.

"There is a serious problem with the sewage system in Lucknow," added Alvery Hayes.
"In other towns and cities, they have 20-25 bypasses, and you're worried about two instances?" asked Wilson.

"Veolia knew on the Saturday (Dec. 27) that there was a problem with the system and did nothing. They should be held accountable.
"There's something wrong here. If we're in a flood situation, they should be here looking after the system. If I finish my basement and this happens again, I'll be back."

Hanna said the township could set a policy and see whether the MOE challenges it. Council agreed.

"Oh, and please notify us when Veolia is going to be here," said Wilson. "I'd like to be here too."
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