In natural areas, rainfall or melted snow soaks into the soil, is absorbed by trees and plants, evaporates into the air, or flows into streams, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
In cities, rainfall and melted snow travel much more quickly over roofs, driveways, and roads. Water runs off these surfaces, collects pollutants like dirt, oil, fertilizer, grass clippings, pet waste, litter etc. and carries them to our rivers and waterways.
After storms, heavy rains or snow melts, water levels can rise and cause flooding.
Help keep storm drains clear
Keeping storm drains and catch basins clear of leaves, dirt, litter and ice help reduce the risk of our roads flooding during heavy rain and storms.
Storm drains and catch basins let rain and melted snow flow into our storm sewer system which drains into the nearest stormwater pond, creek, river or lake.
Stormwater runoff is not treated before flowing into local waterways – only rain should go down the storm drain.
Don’t disrupt stormwater ponds
Stormwater management ponds may look like natural areas, but they’re actually an important part of the City’s infrastructure.
Stormwater management ponds collect melted snow or water runoff from storm sewers and slowly release it into our waterways.
Please don’t add or remove plants near stormwater ponds. Plants and long grass help ponds function properly. We remove debris and invasive plants regularly, without using pesticides. We also maintain gates, locks, valves, etc. and perform repairs and bank stabilization, when necessary.
Stormwater Management Master Plan
The master plan is a long-term plan that looks at how the City is currently managing stormwater and guides how we will continue to do so over the next 25 years. It will take into account government legislation, technological advances and infrastructure needs, and address issues we face today like flood control, maintaining the quality of our local waterways (rivers, lakes and streams) and drinking water supply (groundwater), the overall environment and maintaining local water balance
Resources
- More ways to help protect Guelph’s water supply
- Grand River Conservation Authority: Water and Floods
- Insurance Bureau of Canada: Preparing for water-related damage
For more information
City of Guelph Stormwater Services
519-822-1260 extension 3486
[email protected]