Water issues plaguing Timmins trailer park

Residents of a Timmins-area trailer park say they have been dealing with water quality issues for nearly a month – some have even been without running water for almost two weeks.

Tenants of the Notre Dame Place trailer park on Notre Dame Street in Timmins told CTV News that more than 100 homes have been affected by water services issues since early December and there has been little communication from the park’s management on whether the issues are being fixed.

Many residents said their taps sputter only small amounts of water and it has grown worse by the week.

“We have three sections in this park. The third section is the one most affected, with I believe it’s 12 homes, currently, with absolutely no water at all,” said Mark Gosselin, one of the park’s residents.

“I lost a sale for my home because of the fact that I had to disclose we have no water.”

The Porcupine Health Unit issued a boil water advisory for the area just before the new year, but tenants said they were calling for action much earlier.

Many said they have had to buy potable water, purchase additional equipment or stay off-site while they wait for the issues to be resolved.

One resident said his water completed stopped working right before Christmas.

“Us four who live here, we don’t get no water and it’s not pleasant,” said Jim Burnett, another resident.

“It’s not right.”

Many residents said their taps sputter only small amounts of water and it has grown worse by the week. (Image from video report)Many tenants said that their requests for management to resolve the issues have gone unanswered, with little communication provided about whether the park’s water system will be looked at.

“I just don’t like it anymore,” said Burnett.

“We just got to sit down and wait, but wait until when?”

Gosselin echoed these sentiments saying residents are not getting any answers or solid time frames about how or when the matter will be resolved.

“We feel as though, just because we’re a trailer park, that… people don’t care,” he said.

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Management and the park’s owner told CTV News that they have been told there may be a leak on the property which draws its water from a well – adding that a plumbing contractor from Toronto, Ont. is scheduled to investigate the issue on Monday, Jan. 8 and none were available sooner due to the holidays.

When asked about the situation at the park the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks responded with this statement:

“The ministry is aware that the Notre Dame Trailer Park is currently experiencing issues within their distribution system and have adjusted the water pressure to maintain an adequate amount of water throughout the park.

The ministry has been advised that water pressure is being maintained above 20 psi; however, a recent pump failure has resulted in the issuance of a boil water advisory by the Porcupine Health Unit. In addition, residual chlorine in the distribution system has remained at levels required to maintain safe drinking water.

The ministry is currently monitoring the situation with the assistance of the Porcupine Health Unit.”

Management said they have advised all residents to remove any filters or aerators from their faucets, to help water flow in the meantime.