Approximately 120 residents of the Ospika Heights townhouse complex have been without water or driveway access since Sunday morning, following a watermain break.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday a four-inch watermain broke beneath the main driveway for the low-income housing complex, which is operated by the Prince George Mennonite Housing Society.
Society board chairperson David Hillhouse said the water caused significant damage, but didn't harm the units themselves.
"It's lifted the asphalt up and did quite a bit of damage to the pavement," Hillhouse said. "We're fortunate the water didn't end up in the units, expect for a little bit in a few garages."
Contractors and City of Prince George staff were called in to dig up the watermain and shut off the water on Sunday. A trench approximately seven metres long and two metres deep has blocked the only driveway access into the complex's parking lot since then.
Several resident's vehicles have been trapped inside the complex, and access to the interior units is restricted to a narrow, steep foot path.
"We've been trying to get the water on as soon as possible. The problem is you can't just put in a new watermain and turn it on. You have to follow Northern Health's and the city regulations," he said Friday. "We should have the water back on today."
However, they may need to excavate the entire parking area to rip up the existing water line and replace it, he said. The society is working with B.C. Housing on accessing what the timeline will be for that work.
"We want to make sure the tenants are in their units for Christmas," Hillhouse said.
The City of Prince George has allowed the residents of the 30 units to use showers at public swimming pools and to park on the street. The society has been providing bottled water to residents for drinking.
Ospika Heights resident Pauline Palmeter said the communication with residents has been less than ideal.
"They said Monday the water was supposed to be back on Monday afternoon. That was the last information we got," Palmeter said. "I'm very concerned about the safety - should we even be here?"
Palmeter and her son have lived in the complex for three years. Until this incident, there has been no problems, she said.
"I'm shoveling snow so I can flush my toilet. I was relying on my daughter to come and get me and drive me to work - and to do laundry at her place," she said.
Palmeter said when she drove her car out a side gate, she was told by her landlord that driving on the asphalt could cause a sinkhole to collapse and rupture a gas line. Signs posted on doors in the complex threatened anyone driving into or out of the complex with immediate eviction.
"If anything happened to someone in the back units, an ambulance couldn't get in. [And] most of the units have small children living in them," Palmeter said. "Not being told anything really bothers me."
John and Stephanie Routley have had to move in with relatives until water and road access is restored.
"It's hugely inconvenient, but everybody is just making do," Stephanie Routley said. "The management has been really good. Our car is stuck inside. John is on dialysis and they've been willing to pay cab money for his appointments."
Another resident, who asked to be identified only as Lisa, said the situation has been very difficult for her because of her mobility issues.
"We've not been able to get take our vehicle out - so it's costing us more for taxis. We're living on limited income as it is. A lot of us have health problems," Lisa said. "Each day they tell us, 'hopefully by the end of the day,' [water will be turned back on.] The last I heard it'll take another 24 to 48 hours."
