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:

Stage 1

Petition for Drainage Work/Request for Improvement
To initiate a municipal drain project, submit a petition for drainage using the prescribed form to the Municipality. To be a valid petition, the petition must be signed by:
  • The majority of property owners in the area that requires drainage, or
  • The property owners that represent at least 60% of the land in the area requiring drainage, or
  • The engineer, road superintendent or person having authority over a road requiring drainage

The "area requiring drainage" is the area within a watershed with a drainage problem or need for drainage outlet – and is not the full watershed.

Stage 2

Engineers Report
The engineer's report is temporarily adopted by by-law. Engineers consider a variety of factors in determining how the costs of municipal drains should be shared among property owners. Some of these factors include:
  • The benefit that the drain provides to the land;
  • The amount of land within the watershed of the drainage system;
  • The amount of water contributed by the land (land use and soil type);
  • The distance the land is from the drain.

Appeals to the report can then occur. After all appeals are settled, Council passes a by-law adopting the engineer's report, giving us the legal authority and responsibility to build the drain. 

Stage 3

Maintenance
Once the drain has been built, the maintenance becomes part of the Municipality’s infrastructure. 

Current Municipal Drains Being Processed

7th Avenue Drain

Notice of Meeting to Consider Engineer's Report on May 13, 2024

Report

Plan and Profile

Meeting to Consider Engineer's Report scheduled for Monday, May 13, 2024 at 6:20 p.m. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87027109132?pwd=RXd1UW1VYUo5b0VrOXY3U0ZKNW12QT09 

Chyc Drain

Report

Plan and Profile

Court of Revision hearing scheduled for Monday, April 29, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87529787007?pwd=TkFvVWdkVlBqTnZZOUxzb0ozUnB2QT09 

Albertson Drain

Report

Plan and Profile

Faris Drain

Report

Plan and Profile

McLaws Drain

Report

Plan and Profile 

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!