Standing water is a sign that spring has arrived. The melting snow is creating large pools of water. One in northwest Edmonton has become more than an eyesore for businesses around 129 Avenue and 170 Street.
Nick Spina of Central Auto and Truck Parts says it sprang up about a week ago just as melting got underway. In the morning, the water freezes, turning it into a skating rink. By the afternoon, it’s back to a liquid state.
The flooding has made it difficult for Spina and his employees. “We can’t get to the customer cars, can’t get to our mailbox, and my staff can’t park on the street because that’s where they park. They can’t take a canoe to get across,” he said.
The pool of water frozen by cold overnight temperatures (Supplied)
There are two customers currently in the water. Spina worries that if water rises another two inches, it will reach the underbody of one, rendering it totaled.
But efforts made to get crews in to clean up the water have not panned out. Spina says he’s gone between EPCOR and the City of Edmonton’s 311 system, each referring it to the other party.
“I’m paying $130,000 a year in property taxes,” said Spina. “I get a free swimming pool.”
Standing water outside an Edmonton business. (James Dunn, CityNews)
EPCOR tells CityNews a blocked culvert on private property is at least one of the reasons for the high water levels. The utility company is aware of this case and crews have come by to lower the water levels. But, the equipment used “did not achieve the results as quickly as we’d hoped based on the amount of melt and grading in the area.”
There are also challenges, according to EPCOR, including nearby railway tracks and how stormwater management intersects with private and public property.
Crews hope to come back, making more progress, so water can flow.
EPCOR adds that it is a busy time elsewhere in Edmonton. The company says there have been about 400 calls in the last week due to water pooling and frozen catch basins.