Drainage and Stormwater

The main purpose of the stormwater system is to drain surface water and prevent flooding. Stormwater ponds, ditches, underground pipes and even your lot grading are all part of the drainage and wastewater management system.

All lots in town must be graded to ensure positive drainage away from foundations in accordance with approved lot grading plans.

During heavy rainfall, some pooling/ponding on the roads and higher greenbelts is normal. The stormwater system will catch up and drain the water.

Learn more:

Stormwater ponds

While community ponds or lakes are beautiful, they are actually stormwater ponds and have a job to do. Our stormwater drainage system collects water from overland flows to help reduce flooding.

When it rains and snow melts, water flows from our rooftops, driveways, lawns, streets and sidewalks. The water is carried through the stormwater system to storm ponds. Storm ponds slow down water long enough to settle out some of the sediments and pollutants, helping return cleaner water to our rivers and streams through the stormwater system.

Because of changing water levels and poor water quality, stormwater ponds are not for recreation.

Stay out of the water
Do not add fish to a storm pond
Dispose of hazardous waste properly
Stay off the ice

Stay off the ice in winter

Inlet and outlet pipes keep water continuously flowing beneath the ice. Because of this flow, the ice thickness is unpredictable and very dangerous.

The ice surface varies in depth across the whole surface. While it may appear thick in some areas, other areas may have little to no ice.
There are generally no visible surface indications of unsafe conditions.
Snow often obscures holes in the inconsistent ice.
Water is continuously flowing beneath the surface
The run-off of road salts into the pond makes the ice thinner and weaker.
Water levels and flows change rapidly making skating or other activities extremely dangerous.

Seasonal odour

A smell similar to rotten eggs can appear in the spring following snow melt. The smell can be present both inside and outside the home and last for up to a few weeks dependent on meltwater flow.

What is the town doing to control the odour?

We treat the storm pond at the start of the storm water system that drains to the Manawan canal to mitigate odors.
We have aerating fountains in some of the storm ponds.

Frozen catch basins

Freeze-thaw cycles occur throughout the winter and spring seasons. Melting snow drains from roofs, yards and driveways, potentially creating icy conditions when temperatures freeze again. Gutters, catch basins, and culverts can freeze and block water from draining from streets. If you notice a frozen storm drain please contact Public Works or call 780-939-2590.