Residents along Erie Shore Dr. may soon have the answers they need to solve the flooding problem, now that the municipality has decided to hire an engineer.
Chatham-Kent council voted unanimously to approve Councillor Trevor Thompson's motion at Monday night's meeting, to appoint an engineer to design a system of flood proofing, such as direct drilled catch basins and drains, to protect and alleviate flooding on Dyke Rd.
Home and cottage owners along Erie Shore Dr. in Blenheim have been faced with many incidents of flooding in recent months, due to strong winds and high water levels.
Councillor Karen Herman says this motion seems like the best option to address the issue.
"We've met with them and they said this what we want... and we heard them loud and clear," says Herman.
Another option brought up at council was to initiate the Drainage Act by inviting property owners to sign a petition. However, that would leave a financial burden on the residents, so the motion was disregarded.
Herman says property owners along Erie Shore Dr. have already shelled out thousands of dollars for flood proofing tactics.
"They're doing their due diligence and they are doing everything they can to a unique situation that there is no place, that I know of anywhere else, where houses are built on a dyke," says Herman.
Herman says she hopes to see catch basins installed to divert the water.
"I was able to review a little bit with council on the 1997/1998 report. I know that many people haven't had the opportunity to look at it, but those were the days that they did put catch basins in there. All we're asking is to have those catch basins get that water safely off their properties," says Herman.
The motion also calls for the municipality to assemble a stakeholders committee to determine how to cover the expenses of recommendation outlined in the 1998 Todgham and Case report. Council also demands that some of the money allocated to the Great Lakes Basin by the federal and provincial governments be put towards alleviating flooding issues along the Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent.