Catch Basin Drainage
Spring melt drainage issues
City crews begin uncovering catch basins in flood prone areas and responding to flooding in early spring once warmer weather approaches. Please contact the Customer Care Centre if water is pooling on a busy street with potential for property damage or restricting access to crosswalks due to a clogged or frozen catch basin that isn't draining. Watch: Spring snowmelt video.
When warm weather arrives, the snow and ice can melt quickly.
What you can expect from us
- City crews begin defrosting catch basins and clearing gutters to improve drainage as temperatures begin to hover around zero. Watch: Spring Snowmelt Video
- We keep a close eye on important intersections prone to flooding in a fast melt.
- We will inspect and prioritize your concern within 24 hours and assign resources for clearing and thawing catch basins and leads.
- The priority for addressing flooding is on high-traffic streets where traffic is obstructed (1 or more driving lanes); property damage due to drainage including back lanes; and flooded sidewalk ramps and crosswalks.
- Non-emergency locations may take up to four days to repair, including ponding on minor Collector and local streets that is not causing damage.
How you can help us
- Slow down when you encounter a pothole or a pool of water when driving to avoid the possibility of vehicle damage and splashing pedestrians.
- Call the customer care center if you notice water collecting that is impacting traffic, crosswalks on busy streets or private property; and to helps us locate potholes and settled pavement cuts.
- If the snow melts quickly, your home may be at risk of flooding, even if you haven’t flooded before. We hope that doesn’t happen, but just to be safe, please find more tips to help reduce your risk of a snowmelt flood in your home.