By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
West Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan is hoping Chatham-Kent can remedy ongoing flooding in Tilbury.
At the Feb. 26 council meeting, Harrigan brought forward a motion outlining the need to “support immediate concerns” to ensure the ongoing operation of local pumping stations when there is a power outage.
A Tilbury stormwater master plan with 15 projects has been approved, but it could be some time before they are implemented.
The motion calls on staff to prepare a report this spring, examining a way to provide backup for the pumping stations this year, including costs and a timeline.
Harrigan said Tilbury residents have made her aware that providing backup to the pumping stations may be a “low-cost solution with very high impact” to the community.
A similar solution could be adopted across Chatham-Kent Harrigan told council, adding she would like the infrastructure and engineering department to examine the issue before implementation.
As well, said Harrigan, there’s a petition on Change.org supporting a plan for a power backup fix and the overall stormwater master plan. The petition calls on the province and Hydro One to ensure any stormwater assets are maintained to support proper drainage. It has 229 signatures.
Harrigan acknowledged that the issue is “complicated” and frustrating for Tilbury residents.
“I’m hoping this report will give solutions that will impact people in a positive way,” she said.
