Assistance measures follow torrential rains

Town of Lewiston advises residents; resident sets Change.org petition

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

The recent torrential rains that struck Niagara County are now bringing assistance measures into the spotlight.

Jeff Ritter, administrator at the Town of Lewiston Water Pollution Control Center, provided information of interest Monday for property owners and residents who continue to be affected by flooding.

Also, town resident Sharon K. Bland announced a Change.org petition this week, calling on county, state and federal officials to “take action” and address longstanding infrastructure problems and overdue improvements.

The Lewiston community, like many others in Niagara, experienced very heavy rains that twice resulted in numerous reports of flooding and impacted properties. Weather data from the storms Aug. 2-3 showed rain totals of more than 4 inches in Sanborn and 6 inches in Ransomville.

Ritter provided information to help the community better understand the “what’s-what” behind stormwater and sanitary sewer performance.

“It has come to our attention that many residents do not know the difference between stormwater and sanitary sewer(s),” he said.

Ritter explained the basics behind sanitary and how stormwater infiltration goes on to impact it.

“Sanitary sewer comes from your toilet, shower, sinks and laundry,” he said. “The sanitary sewer is a victim of stormwater infiltrating it when it pools up on the ground during heavy rain downpours. We are all interconnected, as the sanitary sewer in your neighborhood leaves by one pipe, (which) we all share.”

He went on to provide a variety of information that’s intended to help residents better understand the details behind inflow/infiltration. Titled “Things to do to protect your home from the sewage backup,” the list, found on the Town of Lewiston Facebook page, includes: information on how water affects sewer lines; hung plumbing – a new town code covering new builds and sewer lateral lines; the town’s backflow preventer program that includes $2,500 reimbursements for property owners who install one; information covering the correct installation of sump pumps and downspouts on properties; and details on installing a “guillotine valve,” aka a “sliding gate value or knife gate valve” at a property. Others include some do’s and don’ts on grass clipping and debris removals, and information on vent stacks/clean out piping on properties (what happens if they disconnect).

Ritter encourages residents to check the Facebook page or to contact him at 716-754-8291 for more information.

Bland, meanwhile, announced a new Change.org petition that encourages residents in the county impacted by flooding to become involved.

“I have a petition online and am gathering signatures and also seeking to inform affected homeowners on how to report online to the state, so we can stand up and be counted and get financial help,” she wrote.

Accessed at https://c.org/HSmCZbZMZ5, Bland’s petition discusses Niagara’s long-term flooding problem – and places the blame directly on local government and infrastructure.

“In recent months, my family and others in Niagara County, NY, have faced relentless stress and damage to our properties due to persistent flooding. Our homes, which should be our havens, have become sites of constant anxiety and heartbreak. The root of this problem lies in our outdated and insufficient water and sewer infrastructure systems, which are woefully unable to withstand the increasing demands and severe weather patterns.

“In Niagara County, many residents have observed rising floodwaters infiltrating basements, damaging foundations, and ruining cherished belongings. The emotional and financial toll is immeasurable. As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of floods are only expected to rise, yet our infrastructure remains stuck in the past, unable to prevent these catastrophes.”

Bland said, “The Environmental Protection Agency has highlighted the risks associated with aging infrastructure that can lead to water contamination during flooding events, a concern for the health and safety of all Niagara County residents.

“It is imperative that our local government takes immediate action. We propose the county conducts a comprehensive assessment of our water management systems and allocates sufficient funds towards upgrading and modernizing our infrastructure.”

Among the improvements suggested:

•Expanding and improving the country’s sewer systems to handle larger volumes of water;

•Implementing sustainable drainage systems that can naturally absorb excess water; and

•Collaborating with state and federal entities to secure funding for these improvements.

Bland also encouraged residents to report their flooding damage impacts to federal officials for further assistance. Residents can visit Damage Self-Reporting Tool: Homes & Businesses, https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/4f19503f107e4541acfc552514c0dbaa.

“With these measures, we can safeguard our communities from devastating floods, protect our properties, and ensure a safe, dry future for ourselves and future generations,” Bland said. “We call upon the Niagara County government and relevant authorities to prioritize this issue and act immediately to prevent further tragedies. Your support is crucial. Sign this petition to demand the necessary changes to our water and sewer systems and help protect our homes and families from the threat of flooding."