‘The worst possible timing': Murky tap water spurs allegations between Hamilton and striking workers
striking workers
who normally run Hamilton's drinking water treatment plant.
About 55 workers who operate Hamilton's water and sewage plants
hit the picket line
last week over a pay dispute, prompting the city to enact a provincially approved strike contingency plan that relies on managers and non-union staff to
take over operations.
Strike acrimony exploded into public view late Tuesday when union official Greg Hoath emailed various media with an allegation that the Dewitt Road reservoir 'ran dry' due to operator error by the fill-in workers, leaving some residents without water.
That public pronouncement, later repeated by supporters on social media, came as residents between Dewitt and Millen roads started reporting murky water or low pressure online and to a local councillor.
The city acknowledged the low-pressure issue — but flatly denied what it called a 'false' allegation about a reservoir problem.
'No, the reservoir was not dry,' said city water director Nick Winters late Tuesday, adding he was not aware of problems at any of the city's reservoirs.
Winters confirmed some Stoney Creek residents are experiencing low water pressure, but stressed the 'temporary' issue was expected due to work to recommission the area's largest water main, which has been
undergoing emergency repairs for months.
'It has nothing to do with non-union staff operating the plant,' he said. Instead, he said the process of putting the massive water main back into service was affecting area pumping stations, which can cause 'very temporary' pressure problems.
Photo of murky water posted on a Stoney Creek Facebook page.
Hoath dismissed that explanation as 'dishonest,' arguing the union received 'inside information' about the alleged reservoir issue.
'I don't believe them for a minute,' he said, adding the union spent time Tuesday handing out flyers and talking to residents without water in Stoney Creek.
In response, Winters said he is concerned there is 'absolutely a lot of misinformation that is being distributed around the community' about how the city is keeping taps and toilets functional during the strike.
In the meantime, residents are interpreting the war of words — and cloudy water — in different ways.
The union's reservoir allegations were reposted on social media accounts for the Hamilton and District Labour Council on Tuesday night.
'This happens when untrained scabs work water system(s),' read one such post.
On Facebook, residents in the area of Millen and Dewitt roads shared photos of brown tap water — and in some cases, their thoughts on the labour dispute.
'They do not have everything under control! Give the workers what they want!' posted one resident on a photo of a glass of brown-coloured water.
'That has nothing to do with the strike,' chimed in another resident. 'Nice try.'
Area councillor Jeff Beattie said Wednesday he is circulating a social-media explanation of the pressure problem and pipe recommissioning project, noting he received several complaints about low water pressure and discoloured tap water overnight.
He lamented that the city did not 'proactively' warn residents about the anticipated pressure woes and said he understands why people might have concerns in light of the strike.
'It really is just the worst possible timing,' he said.
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