Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Tuesday was a day like any other at the Grind & Vine — coffee was made, and customers were served. You’d be forgiven for not realizing the store had to be closed down a week ago due to a broken watermain. “Actually, we didn’t know until we got in to bake everything and to make coffee that we had no water coming into the building,” says Taylor Russett, owner of Grind & Vine.
Emergency repair work continues on the primary water main serving all Trenton Water Service customers west of the Trent River. On Monday, July 17, Quinte West Water/Wastewater staff discovered a significant water main break in the primary Trenton Water Service water main located under the Trent River beside the D. J. MacDonald Bridge in Trenton. On Tuesday, City staff engaged an underwater repair contractor to install a temporary repair clamp on the water main. Some customers experienced disruptions to water flow and pressure while the temporary repair work was completed. This repair work has stabilized the supply of water to customers in the affected service. However, the underwater location of the break may result in ongoing challenges until the water main is permanently repaired.
Lower Trent Conservation (LTC) says a “flood watch” remains in effect through to Wednesday, April 19 for areas including the municipalities of Brighton and Trent Hills. A flood watch is issued when there is a potential for flooding to occur in low-lying areas. Nuisance or minor flooding of access roads, backyards, basements, et cetera, is anticipated. LTC said buildings and people are not at risk. The flood watch involves the Trent River from Hastings to Trenton.
To address very high-water levels and flows caused by recent high amounts of rain, Parks Canada says it will be moving water on the Trent River from Hastings to Trenton. This will happen after navigation hours starting Friday, Sept. 24. “This will result in unsafe boating conditions,” said a Parks Canada spokesperson.
