Frustrated residents of Prince Rupert and Seigniory avenues in Pointe Claire, voiced an ongoing concern during last Monday's Pointe Claire city council meeting. According to Rob Troy, Seigniory Avenue house owner, residents have had a drainage problem for five years, and more houses are becoming affected during heavy rainfall. These citizens are also worried that their streets are being labelled as a flood zone by West Island real estate agents, reducing the value of their property by 10 to 15 per cent. They want the city to take action and fix the problem.
According to residents, a discussion was held in early June with the council, and actions were planned to avoid future water damage. A Prince Rupert Avenue homeowner, who did not want to be identified, explained that despite efforts made, his family was forced to deal with yet another flooding issue in their home during a heavy rainfall in July of this year.
Bill McMurchie, mayor of Pointe Claire, reassured the concerned citizens that Pointe Claire's Emergency Measures Plan was in fact put into play during those rainfalls. However, the pumps that were activated to remove water failed to aid the situation. “This is a two-fold approach,” McMurchie said. He encouraged residents to add a sump pump, a backwater valve and a new connection to the property line. The city would then pay for the reconnection to the main. No compensation for any water damage caused by rainfall would be given.
These homeowners were not satisfied with this response. Some believe that during the recent construction of buildings in the area, mistakes were made that have affected their drainage system. They want the city to take more responsibility and action. As the council has recently been authorized to spend $22.5 million for the installation of various infrastructure works, residents wanted to know how that money will help their situation. No guarantee, or indication as to how the money would aid their drainage system was provided. One resident said, “We've been five years waiting for a response. All these families ideally want is a kind 'we're taking care of it'.”
