CBS adopts water disruption policy
By Craig Westcott
Developers who need to tear up a street or do any other kind of work that necessitates a disruption in water services anywhere in Conception Bay South this summer will find themselves governed by a new by-law that sets some rules about how the work will be conducted.
Anyone needing to close off the water will have to make a written request to the Town’s Department of Engineering at least seven days prior to the planned disruption date. The request will have to outline why the disruption is necessary, the estimated time it will take, and give some details about the work to be carried out.
Staff will then assess the application to see if the water disruption is necessary, if the proposed disruption date is okay, and if there are any other factors that should be considered.
“A water disruption will only be granted if it is deemed absolutely necessary in order to complete the task,” the by-law reads.
Such requests will be approved at the discretion of the Director of Engineering, or an assigned representative. The applicant must also follow all occupational health and safety regulations with respect to construction activities and traffic management.
“I believe this is a new policy,” said Deputy Mayor Andrea Gosse, who made the motion to adopt the by-law at the February 18 meeting of council.
Contractors and developers will also have to hand deliver notices to properties on streets that will be affected by a disruption at least 72 hours before the disruption is to start. A detailed notice will also have to be posted on the Town’s website and social media pages.
The person responsible for the work will also have to purchase radio ads to be played three times daily giving notice of the disruption. “This item may have some discretion if the work is four hours or less and the disruption impacts are considered minimal,” the by-law states.
All costs associated with the public notices will be the responsibility of the applicant.
All schools in the area affected by the water disruption, along with medical or long-term care facilities, and childcare centres will also have to be notified.
“So, residents will know what to expect if there’s going to be a water disruption,” said Gosse.
“And we provide it (the policy) to developers or others who might be causing some sort of interruption, so they know what to do and how to notify people,” added Mayor Darrin Bent.
On a related note, the Town has also adopted a Traffic Disruption Policy, which may come into effect in the case of a water disruption.