Dear Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to express my thank you for the service received on the evening of Aug. 26 concerning a water leak and the development of a sink hole.
To explain further, I was contacted by my neighbour with regards to a sinkhole developing in front of my property located on Solly Road. This was at 8 p.m. on a Friday night and the situation required immediate attention as the dip in the road was advancing.
There was a glitch in the emergency number and I took the liberty of contacting a Summerland maintenance employee Dave Sandrelli at a little after 8 p.m. and he told me he would have someone contact me.
Within a matter of minutes a lady called me and took down the pertinent information.
While I was on the phone with the contact person, Dave called me again to make sure the procedure was going forward.
Within a matter of 20 minutes an on call maintenance person, Kevin Karlson was on the scene with a works truck and using a locator to find shut offs and listen for leaks. Kevin diligently determined that the leak was occurring on the road and there was not sufficient evidence to call out a crew to dig up the road in the middle of the night. He posted a flashing light and signs for the remainder of the night. He left the area well protected and assured me there was no immediate danger and a crew would be here in the morning.
I was certainly impressed with the speed and professionalism the matter was handled after hours by Dave, Dawn and Kevin.
Saturday morning at 8 a.m. works foreman Marten Stam and a works crew proceeded to dig up the street and repair the worn out copper flange connecting to the main feed. The problem was attended to in an orderly fashion and was well organized. Everyone knew their job. From the time that I called at 8 p.m. until 10:30 the next morning the problem was fixed.
In closing, had this small dip in the road gone unnoticed or left until regular working hours, the consequences could have been very damaging and incurring huge repair costs. The money spent on call out and weekend work is minimal considering what could have happened.
Hats off to the works crew. Job well done.
Terrence L. Steinke
Summerland