FYI - This all started back in March with a sudden drop in water pressure.  Not much could be done with frost still in the ground, so we installed a temporary pressure-tank and waited for the city to repair the curb-stop valve.  We started looking around for contractors but since we use the area for gardening we ultimately decided to delay the excavation until end of summer.  That turned out to be a huge mistake, since it is very difficult and expensive to get machinery into our corner property.

Fast forward to today:  After four weeks at it, we have completed our manual excavation of our lead water service pipe and deepened the trench to 4ft (1.2m) with a bit of jack-hammering needed below our front step landing to get the last few hard-won inches of depth for frost-protection.  We have pits at the house and curb stop at 1.5m deep and a pit with temporary shoring at the interior of our retaining wall to 10ft (3.0m) depth.  We also got a permit and excavated the city-side of the retaining wall as they were not comfortable with the risk of undermining it.  There is a huge pile of dirt and rocks on our corner lot, as well as a patch of City property that we were granted permission by Public Works to use for that purpose.

  This past weekend, we moved the excavation inside to break up the small area of basement slab where the water service enters the house.  The weekend before, we had fully exposed the water service pipe outside.  Uncovering it allowed the leak to develop full flow in our trench so we had to divert water to the street for a few days until we could patched the found leak with a hose clamp and rubber.  We had a miniature canal system, dam, sluice-way and flood-plain on full view.  Even had an 8 ft high water spout for a few minutes!  The jokes about drawbridges and moats from passers-by were aplenty!

Yesterday, we had the City turn the water off completely to eliminate a persistent by smaller leak that was wetting the trench area where we were working.

The photo is of the source of the leak.  A flared lead pipe joint that had been soldered when installed originally, but a portion of the solder had come away.  For scale: The pipe is about one-inch outside diameter, perhaps 1/2 inch inside diameter.  When I removed our temporary clamp and raised the pipe a bit to make room for other work, the joint came apart easily.  I was able to make a more effective repair but alas, a short steel fitting inside the house also disintegrated at the same time due to the disturbance, so that part is back on hold. 

There is much work to do yet, as need to repair the sanitary pipes which we had also exposed in the process. They are original to the house (1913) and in need of attention.

It was only when we approached a plumber to replace the lead water service pipe, that we found out that the city portion is also made of lead.  We thought they would and should step-up and do their part after we had gone to all of this trouble.  So we did some digging of a different kind, and that is what led to this petition to raise awareness of the broader issue for other Brockville residents, as well as for people in other Ontario communities.

Note: When I use the word "we", I most gratefully acknowledge the help from my brother, my brother-in-law, a former co-worker, and my amazing group of generous neighbours who have been exceedingly supportive with their tools, expertise, assistance, sympathy and even a few delicious baked goods.   

This is what "community" is all about. 

Thanks for your support!