IQALUIT
Iqaluit's sewer infrastructure is collapsing under the streets of the city and the estimated cost of replacing it will be $17-to-$30 million if the city acts now, public works director Keith Couture told the city's engineering and public works committee May 20.

Keith Couture: Public works director says the entire main sewer line needs to be replaced.

The situation came to a head when Joel Fortier, who has a home in the Happy Valley neighbourhood, approached the committee May 6 to detail the recurring sewer backup at his house, caused by blockage and freeze-up in the main line.

Since March, he has incurred plumbing costs totalling more than $3,300, which he is asking the city to reimburse. He faced the committee again May 20, requesting to be reimbursed.

Last fall, the public works department repaired a section that spans four houses on Fortier's street, to the tune of about $300,000 - but it stops just short of his house.

The next section is collapsing, "like a domino effect," says Couture.

Couture explained that the main line is now being pumped out three times a day, every day, to stop freeze-up in collapsing sections from reoccurring.

"The entire main needs to be replaced," said Couture. "The complete line, not just sections."

The pipes, which have thin walls, were installed in 1987, "aren't up to industry standards" and "had no protection when they were built. Our pipe is so old they don't even have the connectors anymore. That's how old the system is."

Couture told Nunavut News/North that Happy Valley is just one of the areas of Iqaluit that is failing.

"We do repairs on a weekly basis. It's ongoing."

Coun. Simon Nattaq acknowledged that the city is overwhelmed with issues and challenges "we have to fix."

"I think the priority should be the main pipe," he said.

Couture estimates that replacing only Happy Valley's main pipe loop would cost $4 million.

Coun. Terry Dobbin noted that there are a lot of people in Iqaluit experiencing sewer problems, "but they don't want to talk. They don't want to devalue their property."

Councillors Kenny Bell and Romeyn Stevenson cautioned their fellow committee members, saying it shouldn't be too quick about repaying Fortier, since other homeowners would likely come forward with similar requests.

"I'm wondering if we can't go to insurance for this," Bell said. "We know it's our problem, our fault. Neighbours will come forward. We know another long-term resident is sitting here (in chambers). There are up to 10 houses on that street. There will be a pretty hefty price tag."

No decisions, next steps or recommendations to council came from the discussion.

"I like the commitment, that they owned up to the main being a disaster," Fortier later told Nunavut News/North.

"But they're still fighting back on repaying my bills.

I am not seeing financial relief, money in my bank account."

Fortier plans on going to City Hall and presenting his bills to administration, because while "the councillors sympathize, there seems to be a disconnect from a resolution."

Fortier emphasized that his own infrastructure is fine, but he's concerned that the city's lack of action is compromising the value of his property.

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