A couple of old water valves are leaking, causing water to bubble up to the surface at two intersections on Patricia Street.
The valves were opened as part of the water and sewer line replacement project taking place on the 800 block of Connaught Drive; but when they were closed again, they didn’t seal properly.
“The connection has broken loose,” explained Bruce Thompson, director of operations for the municipality. “The pressure put on the valves as they were turned off popped the connection between the pipe and the valve itself.”
The flowing water is now seeking the path of least resistance, which, in this case, is up.
Thompson said the water valves will be replaced within the next two weeks. But first, the utility companies have to identify where their lines are running, so that they aren’t damaged when the road is opened up.
After that, the pavement will be dug up and a backhoe will excavate down to the waterline, so that the valves can be fixed.
There will be temporary road closures while the work is being done, but Thompson said he doesn’t expect they will last much more than a day.
Beyond the leaking valves, the utility project on the 800 block of Connaught is ticking along smoothly.
The water and sewer lines are completed and, so far, there have been very few surprises, said Thompson.
“It’s on schedule and on budget.”
The project, which includes paving the alleyway at the cost of the residents who back onto it, is set to be completed next month.
The residents signed a petition, agreeing to a local improvement tax for the paving.
The municipality has more valid petitions on file for other neighbourhoods willing to pay for the paving of their alleyways, and each one is just waiting until it is selected as a project in the capital budget.
In order for a petition to be valid, at least two thirds of the homeowners affected—making up at least 50 per cent of the assessed property value—have to be in favour of the local improvement project.
The municipality passed a residential laneway paving bylaw in 2005 to make such petitions possible.
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
