THUNDER BAY - City residents continue to speak out about pinhole leaks in copper water pipes that are affecting thousands of people and demanding answers from the city that remains silent on the issue.
“It is so frustrating. People are stressed to the max,” said Patsy Stadnyk, who experienced damage to a rental property due to leaks in copper water pipes.“Why do we have to put up with this? We should have water coming into our house. We signed a contract. We pay a water bill.”
Stadnyk was one of dozens of people who held a rally outside Thunder Bay city hall Friday morning demand action from the city. This is the second rally that has been held.
A social media group was created earlier this summer for residents affected by leaking pipes and has since grown to more than 2,200 members.
Residents across the city and in Fort William First Nation have been experiencing pinhole leaks in copper water pipes since last year. Those at the rally say it is the result of sodium hydroxide added to the water supply as a corrosion control measure, a practice that was ended last January.
“We are here again because the city isn’t listening to us,” Stadnyk said. “They aren’t showing us any respect. We are the city. We are what constitutes the city of Thunder Bay. Why aren’t they listening to us? Why did they lawyer up after the first leak?”
City officials have not spoke publically about the issue of pinhole leaks, citing potential legal concerns.
While Stadnyk said she personally does not want to take the legal actions, others are talking about a potential class action lawsuit against the city.
“The city is leaving people stranded and they don’t know where to turn,” she said. “A lot of people are talking class action suit. Wouldn’t it be a lot cheaper for the city to fix the problem?”
Residents are frustrated that they are being charged to turn off the water coming into properties with a leak to prevent flooding. Those who have had to pay to fix city waterlines and are not covered by insurance would like to be reimbursed by the city.
Russ Pattyson, who lives on Simon Fraser Drive, noticed a leak last April, which washed out the ground underneath the weeping tile in his basement.
The repairs cost more than $30,000 total.
“I would like some kind of help,” he said. “Being in Northwood, we wanted to make sure everything drained well, that’s why we spent all that money 12 years ago to have our weeping tile done. We never had a drop of water in that time.”
Last month Mayor Bill Mauro held a virtual town hall. He did not speak to the issue of the leaking pipes, but instead referred people to report any issues to [email protected] or call 684-2160.
The silence on the issue continues to frustrate those who are facing leaks across the city and expensive repair bills.
“That’s very frustrating,” Pattyson said. “I can see that they don’t want to commit themselves or take any responsibility initially. But they should be saying something to us. It’s all over the city.”
“They aren’t listening to us,” Stadnyk added. “Why not? We are not blaming anybody. All we want is to have this fixed and to not be paying out of our pockets. We pay taxes. We pay water bills. People are going months without water.”
