Hundreds of vulnerable homes in Medicine Hat are now protected against future floods because of a new program that provides owners with up to $2,000 each to install isolation valves that eliminate sewer backup when high waters hit. <\/p>\n
While the province balked at funding the initiative through its disaster recovery program, the southeastern Alberta city found $1 million from its own coffers to protect local residents. <\/p>\n
Were getting sick and tired of floods so we decided to solve this problem once and for all, Medicine Hat Mayor Ted Clugston said. <\/p>\n
Its probably going to save us, the province and insurance companies big dollars in the long run. <\/p>\n
Most municipalities in Alberta already require one-way valves on new homes that operate automatically and can withstand 35 kilopascals of backup flow. <\/p>\n
But Medicine Hats program is retrofitting houses with isolation devices that are manually closed prior to a flood and can withstand at least 10 times that pressure. <\/p>\n
Any residences damaged in last Junes inundation or that a review determines may be at risk from future floods are eligible for assistance. <\/p>\n
Of an estimated 570 homes that were damaged by sewer backup in last Junes floods, the city has so far received applications from 336 owners. <\/p>\n
Carla Jans, who suffered $15,000 in damage and lost the ability to earn an income operating a day home when her basement filled with over a half metre of sewage last June, is grateful for the help. <\/p>\n
Money was tight in our household even before this happened, Jans said. <\/p>\n
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Medicine Hat offers subsidy to homeowners for flood protection<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hundreds of vulnerable homes in Medicine Hat are now protected against future floods because of a new program that provides owners with up to $2,000 each to install isolation valves that eliminate sewer backup when high waters hit. Continue reading