Air quality tests indicating a higher than acceptable amount of mould spores in homes in the High River neighbourhood of Hampton Hills have homeowners at a crossroads.
Residents must decide whether to demolish and rebuild their homes or begin the remediation effort a second time. The homes were damaged in the 2013 historic flooding of the Highwood River.
Lisa Szabon-Smith moved back into her rebuilt home in November of this year.
“We tore down our house, saved the foundation and started rebuilding in April/May,” said Szabon-Smith, “and eight months later moved home.”
It’s been difficult for Szabon-Smith to say goodbye to neighbours who have decided to relocate.
“I think they’re just heartbroken and ready to move on and needed closure,” said Szabon-Smith. “It breaks our heart as some of the people that have left because we’ve developed really good friendships with them.”
Szabon-Smith estimates only six houses will remain on what was once a busy cul-de-sac. The close-knit neighbours would host an annual Father’s Day weekend block party
“I’ll be honest, it’s been hell for these guys to go through this a year and a half later,” said Craig Snodgrass, Mayor of High River. “Most people are back in their homes and then these guys get back in, and are being moved back out just before Christmas, and their house is being torn down.”
“At the end of the day, yes, the house will be rebuilt and it will all be safe and good for their families, but it’s extremely hard.”
According to government officials, homes which had water above their floor joists for more than two weeks are being monitored under the mould regrowth program. The neighbourhood of Hampton Hills was submerged for nearly three weeks in the summer of 2013.
“It is a neighbourhood specific issue,” said Snodgrass. “I haven’t heard of it happening anywhere else. Because of the water sitting in the Hamptons for as long as it did, it elevated that problem a thousand fold.”
“If you look at the area where I live, I got the same amount of water but the water came and the water left within a few hours so you didn’t get that stagnant water sitting there. In the Hamptons, it was there for two to three weeks.”
The province is expected to contribute funds to help cover the associated costs of remediation or a rebuild.
Snodgrass said the 2013 flooding of the Highwood River was a learning experience and a first for everyone involved.
“As much as we would have loved to have a binder that went ‘Step 1 when you’re dealing with a flood like 2013’, it didn’t exist,” said Snodgrass. “A lot of things were being made up on the go, with best intentions, to see if they could remediate these houses.”
With files from CTV's Rylee Carlson
