Constant flooding on property near Okotoks leaves couple frustrated

A couple in the MD of Foothills is desperateto stop the constant flooding on their property, but a local councillor said there isno easy fix.

When Murray and Liz Slezakbought 12 acres of land near Okotoksalmost 15 years ago, it was supposed to be a little piece of paradise complete with a meadow and trickling stream.

Thecouple,both in their late 70s, saidthe field behind their home has constantly flooded over the past decade, and they blame it on water being diverted.

Development in '90s

They saidland was filled inwhen a nearby development was built in the 1990s in a wetland area,causingwater to flow to their property.

"Itgoes down the ditches into one slough, under the road through a culvert, into another slough and then across the field here," said Liz.

The couple said they havespentnearly$50,000 on repairs in the past decadeandwant the MD of Foothills to step up.

Pumps

According to the area councillor, it's not that easy.

"From our perspective, unless we could reach agreement with the residents along that water drainage area to allow us to put in a drainage easement and a maintenance easement to go along with it, there's nothing we can do,"said Ted Mills.

"At this point the most logical thing for us to do without being able to attain an easement andto make sure to protect their home is to make available pumps to pump the water off to a safe level."

The couple isn't happy with the situation or the MD.

"This will go on and on and on," said Liz."You know, sincerely, they don't really give a damn"

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