Parkdale residents press city for answers on delayed water-pipe project

Dozens ofresidents and business owners from Charlottetown's Parkdale neighbourhoodgathered at a public meeting Wednesday to voice their concerns over the delayed water-pipe improvement project in the area.

The city is trying to reduce water-main breaks in theParkdalearea by reliningexisting water pipes, using a no-dig technology. In the meantime, a temporary water system has been set up above ground to supplywater to buildingsin the area.

RichardMacEwen, manager of the Charlottetown water and sewer utility, said initially the project was to be complete byOct. 31, but that target was missed.

"The principle challenge for us was ensuring good water quality in the temporary water supply system,"MacEwensaid.

"That took longer than we had anticipated."

Frozen pipes, low water pressure

One of the biggest concerns raised bythose in the crowd was frozen pipes.

MacEwen said 124 customers in the area were advised to keep their water running anytime temperatures fell below freezing during the last week.But for many at the meeting, that wasn't enough to keep their pipes from freezing. Several people also said it took contractors hours to come and thaw their pipes, leaving some without water for up to 24 hours.

ParkdaleresidentAnita McCabe said while her pipes haven't frozen, her family is struggling with insufficient water pressure. She worries her pipes are going to freeze as well.

"We have an insufficientquantity of water pressure to run the taps, to have a shower even most days. I can't do laundry, I can't run my dishwasher," McCabe said.

"As the weather continues to get colder, am I going to have any water? That's my concern."

'I'm not benefiting from paying for that water'

A number of people asked about how the city plans to bill them for water usage throughout the duration of the project. MacEwensaid residents would be billed according to their usage fromlast year. But many in the crowd said they felt this was unfair since they couldn't use their water for many household tasks.

"Why am I being billed for something when I don't have enough water pressure to actually run my household?" McCabe said.

"I have to go out for everything or sacrifice or, you know, bathe in the sinkI'm not benefiting from paying for that water."

MacEwensaid hewould take that concern under advisement and review how billing will be done.

He added that residents may have to continuously run their water through their taps until the project is complete, though the city will cover that cost. MacEwensaid the cost of keeping the water running in the affected homes is about $225a day. But, he said a typical water main break, which the project aims to prevent moving forward, costs the city about $8000to repair.

Project deadline extended to late December

McCabe and several other residents complained about snow clearing in the neighbourhood, because the temporary pipes are getting in the way of the plows.

McCabe said the sidewalks near her home where the temporary pipe has been laid aren't getting properly plowed, creating a safety hazard.

As the meeting concluded, many residents requested more public meetings as the project moves forward. MacEwensaid that's something the city will consider.

"Really the hope is that we're not going to need it, that things will stay on track and will be completed," he said.

He said at this point all of the pipes have been lined and crews are in the process of testing the system and will begin reconnecting residents living on Belvederethis week.

MacEwensaid the project is now scheduled to be complete by Christmas and crews are working daily from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. to get the job done.

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