Homeowners along Sheridan Drive are “extremely frustrated” after having their backyards, garages and basements flooded from a water main line that burst during construction of a barrier wall along St. Albert Trail.
Approximately three properties were severely impacted by the burst, which happened July 30 when contractors managed by Wilco Contracting were installing pile foundations for the city’s new barrier wall.
“Our basements were flooded; my garage is destroyed. So that’s being taken care of by (my) insurance company,” said homeowner Greg Sparke. “But damage to our property, our lawns and landscaping, that’s not covered by our home insurance. We have to file a claim with the city.”
About 1,000,000 litres of water gushed out onto adjacent properties, and Sparke said there was over 18 inches water in his backyard.
Sparke said he and two neighbours were severely impacted, but water continued to flow down the street into other properties as well.
City spokesperson Juliann Cashen said in an email three claims have been filed with the city's insurance company, which will be handled in partnership with Wilco's insurance company.
"We also want to express and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this incident has caused the involved homeowners," Cashen stated.
Project manager Gary Dang-Vuu said it took approximately 50 minutes for the city to shut off the water main. He said homeowners were contacted “immediately after” the incident, and city officials were on site about 45 minutes after the burst. They knocked on doors that evening and left letters for residents who were not home, Dang-Vuu added.
Sparke said he was first notified about the incident by his neighbour, and said the city did not call him.
The City of St. Albert is unable to comment on costs to repair the damage or who is at fault, Dang-Vuu said, and homeowners are encouraged to contact their insurance providers for damages to private property.
“It’s more of an insurance-related decision, rather than even the city and contractor,” he said, adding Wilco Contracting has proposed to remediate the homeowners' backyards “at no cost to the city or homeowners.”
Sparke said he and his two neighbours are considering legal action, because they are “all extremely frustrated” by what he described as getting “the run around.”
“It’s frustrating. I get people have accidents and things happen, but with respect to our landscaping and stuff, it seems people are trying to pass the buck on this one,” he said.
“I just want it to be put back the way it was. It wasn’t our fault – fix it.”
