Utilities Kingston is issuing this statement after investigating Saturday’s water service break that impacted downtown Princess Street.

“We sympathize with the business owners who experienced flooding and significant damage to their buildings and merchandise as a result of Saturday’s water service break. I understand that the construction company overseeing the ‘Big Dig’ is doing everything they can to rectify the situation,” says Jim Keech, president and CEO of Utilities Kingston. “The trust and support of the Kingston community is important to us, which is why we are issuing this statement to provide facts regarding our involvement.”

Key facts:

The flooding was not caused by a water main break, and was not otherwise associated with municipal infrastructure maintained by Utilities Kingston.

From speaking with the construction company, Utilities Kingston has learned that the issue occurred on privately-owned equipment, at the cap of a new six-inch water service installed by the contractor, at the request of the building owner.

Once notified of a potential water main break, Utilities Kingston’s on-call water distribution operators responded quickly, arriving within 30 minutes after the call for a Utilities Kingston crew was received. (It turned out a water main break was not responsible for this flooding.)

A Utilities Kingston electricity crew also responded to shut power off to the flooded area. Crews pumped a flooded manhole that was required for access, which delayed our ability to safely restore power.

The construction company overseeing the ‘Big Dig’ is responsible for the project site and any issues that may arise. Business owners are reminded to contact the contractor for construction-related problems in this area, as per the information that was provided to them at the start of the project.

Utilities Kingston continues to support downtown business owners and the construction company as it works to rectify the issue.

A gofundme has been started to assist Brian’s Record Option at www.gofundme.com/help-resurrect-brian039s-records.

Residents and business owners are reminded: entering a flooded area could be hazardous. When in doubt, do not enter. Safety information can be found at https://utilitieskingston.com/Wastewater/BasementFlooding/Flooded