Please note that municipal drains are separate then that of storm sewers, for storm sewers inquires please visit the Roads section of the website.
Municipal drains are created under the authority of the Drainage Act.
Most municipal drains are either ditches or closed systems such as pipes or buried tiles. They can also include structures such as dykes or berms, pumping stations, buffer strips, grassed waterways, storm water detention ponds, culverts and bridges. Most municipal drains are located within the agricultural community however they also remove excess water from roadside ditches, residential lots, commercial lands and industrials and other property types.
Maintenance and Repairs
Once a municipality passes a by-law, adopting the engineer’s report, a municipal drain becomes a part of that municipality’s infrastructure to maintain and repair.
Landowners have a responsibility for drains located on their properties. If you notice any problems contact the drainage superintendent immediately.
Following any maintenance or repairs, the municipality has the authority to assess the costs to upstream landowners as per the most recent, applicable by-law for the drain.
Depending on the age, design and condition of an existing drain it may be most suitable to submit a “Request for Improvement” form under Section 78 of the Drainage Act. Proceedings for improvements to a drain are similar to a petition for a new drain under Section 4 of the Drainage Act.
How Are Drains Created or Improved?
Municipal drains are created under the Ontario Drainage Act and has 3 stages:
Current Municipal Drains Being Processed
Municipal Drain Map
Want To Learn More?
The Government of Ontario has an informative fact sheet on what a municipal drain as well as other helpful articles, is or check out the documents listed below!