As temperatures rise and snow begins to melt, the City of Wrenford is asking residents to clear snow and ice from storm drains in their area. Blocked drains can cause street flooding, basement backups, and damage to the Tamsin River.
Every storm drain grate on a residential street belongs to the City. When snow piles up in front of a grate, meltwater has nowhere to go. It stays on your driveway, backs up into your basement, or washes into the river carrying oil, salt and debris. Clearing the drain now takes only a few minutes and helps keep your neighbourhood safe.
Residents should use a shovel, broom or hand scoop to remove snow and ice from the grate. Do not use hot water, de-icing chemicals or heavy machinery near the drain, as these can damage the grate or contaminate the water. The Stormwater By-law 2023-095 requires property owners to keep drains clear and to avoid dumping pollutants like oil, paint or yard waste into them.
"When spring thaw hits, blocked storm drains can lead to basement flooding and street damage," said Samuel Adeyemi, General Manager of Infrastructure and Planning. "Clearing them out now is one of the easiest ways residents can protect their homes and neighbourhoods."
If you notice a drain that is clogged, damaged or missing a grate, call 311 or visit the Service Wrenford portal. Our crews will send a report to the Roads and Winter Maintenance team for follow-up.
Spring thaw can bring heavy rain and rapid melting. The City recommends reviewing your extreme weather preparedness plan and making sure you have an emergency kit on hand. You can also sign up for emergency alerts so you get instant updates if a storm or flood warning is issued.
For more details on how the City manages stormwater and protects the river, visit the Stormwater bylaws and regulations page.