Purvciems residents face decade-long battle over flooded street

Residents of Purvciems, a district of Riga, have been dealing with a huge puddle on Vējavas Street for at least 10 years, LSM reported, citing Latvian Television’s 4. studija programme.

The flooded stretch runs beside a kindergarten, private homes and apartment buildings, making it difficult for both pedestrians and drivers to get around. Residents say the puddle forms throughout the year. In winter, it turns into wet, difficult-to-cross slush, while at other times the water accumulates so heavily that the street resembles a small pool.

Local resident Tomas said the “pool” had been present for at least a decade.

Ieva Grisle, a project coordinator at the Riga municipal External Communications Department, said the specific location was not under municipal control. The owner or legal manager is responsible for maintaining the stormwater drainage and other systems up to the municipality-owned territory, municipal street or red line, she said.

However, residents must use the street to reach the kindergarten and their homes. Grisle said that if they cannot contact the owner of the land parcel or the owner cannot be identified, they should submit a request to the Riga Municipal Police asking it to locate the owner and arrange the repair of the infrastructure.

The Municipal Police will contact the landowner, but it is not possible to predict when stormwater collection will actually be ensured. Grisle said the municipality was aware of the situation and that the city’s Urban Environment and Mobility Department was also following it.

Until it is clear whether action will be taken, residents should submit an official written request concerning the land parcel where movement is difficult and ask to be informed about the progress of the process, Grisle said.