After residing on a flood-prone street in downtown Windsor, N.S., for five years, Amanda Dunfield has made the difficult decision to leave her home due to ongoing challenges. Dunfield expressed disappointment in the lack of support from local leadership and community response to the flooding issues faced by her and her neighbors on Stannus Street, one of the severely affected areas in town.
The area has been experiencing repeated flooding and sewage overflow since 2021, especially during heavy rainfall when brown-colored water emerges from catch basins due to the strain on the combined sewer and stormwater system and the limited capacity of the aging infrastructure. Residents have suffered significant losses, including damage to appliances, vehicles, and personal belongings.
Despite investing a substantial amount in remediation and prevention efforts, Dunfield found it insufficient to safeguard her property adequately. Faced with ongoing challenges and no immediate prospects of selling her home, she decided to purchase a new residence in a different region, a decision she described as financially daunting as a single parent with a minor child.
Abraham Zebian, the mayor of West Hants Regional Municipality, expressed regret over residents feeling compelled to leave the community and emphasized the importance of respecting individual decisions. He highlighted ongoing efforts to address the flooding issues, citing a recent report by CBCL Limited that proposed solutions, including the separation of combined sewer and stormwater pipes, which the firm estimated would cost over $142 million.
While the long-term solution of pipe separation is being planned, shorter-term measures to alleviate flooding and reduce system strain are being considered, such as diverting stormwater away from the downtown core towards Tregothic Marsh near Highway 101. The municipality is currently advancing with the recommended plan, awaiting design approval before seeking funding for implementation.
Council has endorsed designs for a diversion project on O’Brien Street, set to be tendered in November, with costs expected to be in the millions. Financial support from various government levels will be crucial for executing these projects. The provincial Department of Municipal Affairs has already allocated nearly $1.8 million for flood-risk studies and infrastructure enhancements in West Hants.
Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois acknowledged the infrastructure challenges in Windsor, highlighting the need for federal support alongside municipal responsibilities. While efforts are underway to address the long-standing issues, residents like Dunfield remain frustrated by the lack of immediate solutions and feel unheard in their advocacy for the community’s well-being. Despite the promises of future improvements, Dunfield has already relocated, hopeful for a fresh start in a more secure environment.