Windsor Flood Update September 19

The streets of Windsor are dotted with far fewer flooding materials now that collection crews have completed one entire pass of the city and already begun on a second pass of the hardest hit locations.

“It’s been a real team effort between City staff, residents and all our partners: GFL Canada, Waste Connections, Miller Waste, Diponti Paving, Jones Group Inc., BelmontConstruction, and the Town of Tecumseh,” said Environmental Services Manager Anne Marie Albidone.  “We’ve all been working very hard to get our neighbourhoods back to normal, and we’re almost there.”

Once the second pass of the hardest hit areas is complete, residents who still have flooding materials at their curbside will then be asked to call 311 to arrange an individual pick-up.

“There shouldn’t be too many more calls, but we want to ensure every resident who flooded is helped as much as possible,” said Albidone, “so we’ll get word out to residents once the second pass is complete.”

Regular recycling will resume Tuesday, September 19, 2017 according to the dates already posted on your collection calendar. Residents who have tomorrowas their regular schedule day should use cardboard boxes for any extra recycling over and above what fits in your blue and red boxes, and minimize the amount of plastic bags. If plastic bags are used, they should be clear bags, and items still need to be separated. The Public Drop-off Depot is free for recycling materials if residents can’t wait for their regular pick-up, but the depot is no longer free for flood drop-off, as regular tipping fees have resumed.

As of Saturday, September 16, 2017, close to 5,000 tonnes of flooding material had been collected.

The temporary holding site at the former GM Plant on Walker road remains in use by the City’s removal trucks but is being used less frequently, and material continues to be hauled out on a daily basis. 

City officials ask residents to ensure regular garbage follows the regular collection guidelines including weight limits and storage in hard sided containers.  Only flood items that are already out in bags are exempt from the bylaw.

Note: Flood damage pickup is for those who do not have a paid contractor working on their properties, as paid contractors are responsible for taking any damaged materials to the landfill.

Curbside Collection Preparation Details:

• Roll carpet and padding in small bundles approximately 4’ in length.
• Bundle, bag or place in pails/boxes any building materials such as pieces of drywall, baseboards.
• Appliances must have doors removed or secured shut so they won’t be opened.
• Collection crews will not pick up loose material. All loose items must be placed at the curb in garbage bags weighing no more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds).  Bags should not be stacked but rather placed side by side. The hard-sided garbage container by-law will be waived for flood collection. 
• Keep household chemical waste, paint cans, and other chemicals in a separate pile.  They will be collected by a separate truck from the truck collecting flood items.
• Place items to be collected in an orderly manner, side by side as much as possible.  Avoid piling items on top of each other.
• Wherever possible, avoid parking vehicles in front of flood material. Collection crews require clear access to items set out for collection.

Residents are reminded that due to the flooding the Bulk Furniture collection program is on hold until further notice, and Yard Waste collection is cancelled for the month of September.

311’s hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  311 can also be accessed online. Details on the Basement Flooding Subsidy Protection Program can also be found on the City website. We thank residents for their co-operation and patience during this time.