Water issues affect your property value

Elmwood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/04/2024 (753 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Our NDP government has resolved to strengthen the Environment Act, providing the City of Winnipeg with $10 million in funding to improve wastewater infrastructure and be a more responsive partner in solving the many problems associated with the aging water and combined sewer system.

The recent sewage spill in the south end of the City of Winnipeg raised concerns about how we can better protect our water. Elmwood residents know what it’s like to have these spills in their backyard. We’ve had three major discharges since 2016, when we saw a massive, five million litre, 10-day long sewage dump underneath the ice right across from our Glenelm area. Construction blockage caused that spill. In 2019 and 2021, we had massive discharges at the Linden pump station and Munroe pump station, respectively.

By working with the city and putting the health and safety of Manitobans first, we can better our waterways and protect lakes and rivers for Manitobans.

Currently, the Environment Act only allows environment officers to lay charges after a lengthy investigation and court process, thus delaying quick intervention. There is also currently no requirement for licensed authorities to notify the public, First Nations, and other affected communities of severe incidents. We know the recent sewage spill into the Red River was a concern for Winnipeggers and downriver communities, and we want to ensure we can do more.

This will be a significant change from the previous government’s approach.

The city has been catching up with our street renewal work for a few years now, and provincial support will continue. City engineers prioritize street renewal in tandem with separating our aging sewer system, thus reducing our residents’ high risk for sewer backup. Never mind the sewage overflows pouring into the Red River.

Addressing these issues, especially separating our combined sewer system, which we do in tandem with street renewal, will improve Elmwood homeowners’ property values.

For more information, please call my office at 204-415-1122, email me at jim.maloway@yourmanitoba.ca, or visit my website: yourelmwood.com