May 13, 2008

Infrastructure

Burst pipes prove need for infrastructure investment, OSWCA says

Downtown Ottawa suffers two watermain failures in two days

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

OTTAWA

Two watermain pipe failures in two days in downtown Ottawa are just another example of aging infrastructure meeting a lack of maintenance, says the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA).

“This is more of the ‘same old, same old’, ” says Frank Zechner, executive director, OSWCA. “You are looking at some aging infrastructure finally giving way. What is most troubling with this situation is that Ottawa was given money for extra work but moved an equal amount out into their general operations.”

Ottawa is $1 billion behind in repairs and replacement of its core infrastructure such as roads, sewers, watermains and bridges. The province recently gave Ottawa $14.6 million for infrastructure needs and city council chose to move that amount from its capital repair fund and into general operations, Zechner said.

A 123-year-old cast-iron pipe under Rideau Street burst on Thursday, May 8, in Ottawa, forcing the closure of the major Ottawa street during morning rush hour traffic. Rideau Street is part of a major trucking and commuter route between Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.

“There are not just repair costs to consider. An event like this creates even more costs to daily business activity,” adds Zechner.

“A cast-iron pipe is a very strong and thick pipe. Breakdowns usually occur in its elbows or joints. Also, as it gets older, it does get more brittle.”

The second burst water pipe happened Wednesday, May 7, under Elgin Street, closing the street in both directions. That pipe was made of thin-wall steel and laid in 1964, says Zechner.

“The life expectancy of that pipe is about 50 years, so it was almost on schedule,” Zechner said.

The Ottawa watermain bursts support OSWCA’s call for legislation which forces municipalities to set aside funds for infrastructure maintenance, says Zechner.

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