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Cross-connected lines in three homes

”We wanted to do it a.s.a.p” - Mayor Rick Bonnett

Recent tests to homes in the Lucas Heights area, carried out by SFE Global as contracted by the Town of Ponoka, have shown some residences with cross-connected sewer and water lines and the problem has now been addressed.

The dye tests were conducted in December and confirmed that 6309 59 Street, 6212 59 Street and 5905 61 Avenue have sanitary sewer lines connected to the storm main. This means the sewer had been flowing into the Battle River.

Town of Ponoka employees met with affected homeowners who did not know of the issue. It is believed the mix-up occurred approximately 10 years ago when the homes were constructed.

Homeowners did confirm town representatives had contacted them and it is believed the issue was fixed by a contractor recently.

Mayor Rick Bonnett said the operations department had decided that the problem needed to be dealt with before the snow started to melt. He stressed it would be more difficult to control the seepage once the water flow increased.

“It was way easier for us to go into their yards and dig them up than actually waiting and doing it springtime. We wanted to do it a.s.a.p.”

“WE didn’t want to have a repeat of last summer’s sewer backup.”

Alberta Environment was notified of the crossed lines as well and to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, sewage was being pumped out twice a week from manholes until the connections were corrected.

Acting CAO Betty Quinlan told councillors recently she believed pumping costs were approximately $500 a week.

Dave McPhee, director of operations and property services said in an email that the town had to ensure a plan was in place once they knew of the issue.

Bonnet said it cost the town about $7,000.

“As this is the new regime, we just wanted to fix the problem and deal with it (the cost)  later.”

“We will work with the residents later,“ Bonnett concluded in reference to sharing the cost of the operation.