After more than 4,500 Ottawa households reported basement flooding following the massive Canada Day storm, the city says it has made “significant progress” in its recovery efforts, with storm debris waste collection set to begin this week.
Throughout the 118-millimetre Canada Day rain storm , Ottawa Fire Services responded to nearly 700 emergency calls, while more than 36,000 residents lost power and the city fielded about 5,500 calls to 311.
“Conditions continue to improve,” Ryan Perrault, the city’s general manager of emergency and protective services, said at a July 6 news conference.
“All traffic signals are back online, and crews are repairing damaged roads, drainage systems, and other infrastructure. Electricity has been restored to nearly all affected customers.”
Three-item garbage limit waived
All residents impacted by the flooding and power outages don’t have to follow the standard three-item garbage limit and are encouraged to put any storm-related debris on the curb, Ryan Perrault, the city’s general manager of emergency and protective services, said at a news conference Monday.
Depending on city resources, garbage will either be collected during regular garbage days or through dedicated cleanup operations.
“If it is not collected on the scheduled day, please do not submit an additional service request, as crews will return to collect the remaining materials,” Perrault said.
There is no limit on organic waste, and residents with full green bins due to prolonged power outages can place additional food in garbage bags clearly labelled as green bin waste
For those who would prefer not to wait until garbage day, fees have been waived at the Trail Road waste facility for any household which has submitted a service request for a basement flood or storm-related waste. Residents will be required to provide their service request number and a piece of photo ID confirming their address.
Electronic waste and household hazardous waste still cannot be disposed on the curb or at the landfill and still require separate disposal, Perrault said.
Further temporary power disruptions expected
Hydro restoration for the 36,000 impacted households was officially complete July 4, though Hydro Ottawa continues to identify storm-related damages to electrical equipment, said Bryce Conrad, president and CEO of Hydro Ottawa.
As a result, he said, some residents may still experience some temporary power disruptions so repairs can be completed safely.
“We understand that this extraordinarily frustrates those disconnected, even when the water levels are receded, because flooding compromises electrical integrity,” he said. “We must methodically drive, inspect and test each piece of infrastructure. This methodical approach is the only way to guarantee that your home and your family will be safe and reliable in the long-term.”
An additional outage in the Nepean area was reported Monday morning due to a downed transmission line, which resulted in a temporary loss of supply from the provincial grid, College ward Coun. Laine Johnson said on social media.
Financial support for impacted residents
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he will also ask council next week to increase the budget for the Compassionate Grants program, which offers a $1,000 to a residential property owner or tenant affected by basement flooding due to sewer surcharging.
Over the last 16 years, he said the program has received about 55 applications, with the current budget sitting at $150,000 per year. However, since July 1, he said the program has already received 203 applications.
“Given the events of (July 1), we know a lot more people are going to be applying, so we will increase it so that all eligible residents can receive funding from the city,” he said.
Sutcliffe added that Ontario Premier Doug Ford has confirmed that his team will support the recovery efforts and expects the province will allow Ottawa residents to apply for the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program.
Applicants can receive up to $250,000 from the program, according to the provincial government’s website.
Sutcliffe added the city will also expand the residential protective plumbing program, so residents can invest in their plumbing systems and better protect their homes against future extreme weather events.
“I want residents to know we have your back,” Sutcliffe said Monday. “We are making every effort to support you, and we will continue to do so. We will also take all steps possible to prevent this kind of event from happening again.”
