Mounds of debris lined streets in suburban Kanata and Stittsville after heavy rainfall caused basements to be flooded July 24. (Julia Kilpatrick/CBC)

A consultant who reviewed Ottawa's response to flooding in the city's west end in July says a breakdown in communication that weekend delayed emergency services.

More than 1,200 homes were damaged because of heavy rain on July 24.

The review shows that the flood wasn't treated as a serious emergency at first because city employees didn't share information with one another.

"I acknowledge there was a gap in the city's response immediately after the flooding," deputy city manager Steve Kannelakos said Wednesday.

He said all services — fire, police environmental, public works — reacted properly to deal with the flooding that day.

But, he said, they didn't talk to each other. If they had realized how bad it was, emergency services such as public health updates and increased garbage pickup would have started right away.

The services didn't start until three or four days later, he said.

Cause still unknown

"The city continues to look into what actually caused the flooding, and [is trying to find] solutions to prevent it from happening again," Kannelakos said.

As for the damage to homes, city solicitor Rick O'Connor had some legal advice for city council Wednesday.

"Based on what we have to date, and this is a preliminary legal opinion, there doesn't appear to have been any negligence or liability owing to the city," he said.

That doesn't sit well with Allan Hubley, president of the Glen Cairn Community Association.

"I'm shocked that the city is going to try to take the position that there's no negligence here," Hubley said. He said several recommendations in a report from the last flood in 2002 were never implemented.

He said Glen Cairn needs a speed bump and another ditch to divert some water during heavy rain.

He said he hopes the community can work with the city to finally get those measures and others, to lower the risk of flooding.

Hubley said he hopes the city staff truly learned lessons, so they respond properly the next time — although he's also hoping there won't be a next time.

Kannelakos said staff will be reminded of what's expected of them in an emergency. He said the city will hold conference calls in such situations in future and will not rely on email as in the past.