Flooding Incident at the Fernie Heritage Library
April 16, 2026
Late last week, the Fernie Heritage Library experienced repeated flooding incidents and water-related damage in the basement. As owners of the historic building, the City of Fernie responded to the incidents, and our Public Works crews immediately began an investigation to determine the cause of the flooding.
The investigation identified a blockage in the building’s sewer service line, and an excavation was planned for Tuesday, April 14. During the excavation, crews confirmed that a section of the older clay sewer pipe had collapsed, causing the blockage. To reduce the risk of future sewer failures, the City decided to replace a larger section of the aging sewer line rather than complete a localized repair.
Crews are actively working to replace the broken sewer line and confirm restored connection between the Library and the main sewer line. Later this spring, the asphalt will be repaired.
The City of Fernie acknowledges and apologizes for the disruption this has caused to the Fernie Heritage Library, their neighbours, and the public. We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete this critical work.
