INVESTIGATION INTO FLOODING NEEDS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PROBLEM

All of us want to see the causes of the July 24 flooding identified as soon as possible so any measures that can reduce the chance of it reoccurring can be put in place. But what is even more important is that the investigation be thorough.

Work has started including getting information from people whose homes were flooded, reviewing design standards and reviewing maintenance history. To ensure the investigation is conducted properly there will be a third party review of the investigation and the results.

I will be asking for an interim report from the investigation. As soon as information is available, I will be organizing a community meeting.

CITY SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHOSE HOMES HAVE BEEN FLOODED

Staff from Wastewater and Drainage Operations were visiting people who reported flooding in their homes starting immediately after flooding was first reported. If you reported flooding and have not yet received a visit or a flyer in your mailbox, please contact my office and we will check to confirm that your report was properly logged.

Additional garbage collection started on Monday on streets where there was flooding and continued through the week.

Public health official have been visiting homes where flooding was reported to provide information and to see if special assistance was needed. Additional information on what people need to look out for and what services are available was also dropped off. Flooding in your home can be reported by calling 311 or e-mailing 311@ottawa.ca. If you have reported flooding in your home and there has been no follow up, my office will be pleased to follow up.

Financial help is being provided for people having difficulty meeting basic living costs as a result of the flood. This is separate from compensation that will be paid out as a result of claims against the City. People can apply by calling 311.

A reception centre for people needing information, financial help, a shower or an air conditioned place to relax was operating from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. at the Kanata Recreation Complex at 100 Walter Baker Drive. Arrangements for people whose homes were flooded to use the showers at several Kanata recreation facilities were also made.

The number of days the reception centre continues operating will be determined by the number of people using it. A decision will be made after the deadline for this column. To check on whether these services are still available, please contact my office.

FILING CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY

To file a claim against the City as a result of flooding, people can mail the claim to City of Ottawa, Legal Services, Claims Unit, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J1. They can also e-mail the information to claims@ottawa.ca or fax it to 613-580-2654.

Additional information can be obtained by going to www.ottawa.ca/city_hall/claims, e-mailing claims@ottawa.ca or calling 613-580-2655.

You do not need to have the figure for the full cost of damages, but you will eventually need to have that information. For that reason it is important to keep any receipts or bills related to costs you incurred as a result of the flooding.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2752 (office), 580-2762 (fax), www.feltmateforkanata.com or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca