Keeping Vaughan’s stormwater system in top shape!

The City of Vaughan’s stormwater system is made up of more than 1,000 kilometres of pipes, approximately 22,000 catch basins, more than 150 stormwater management ponds and more than 150 kilometers of natural creek system. This important infrastructure must  continue to service a growing population and manage weather events and more. That’s where the City’s annual stormwater charge comes in. You may see the charge begin to appear on Alectra Utilities invoices as of Monday, May 9, according to your billing cycle. Even though it begins to appear on invoices in May, the charge covers the entire calendar year.

The stormwater charge is not a new fee – it began appearing as a separate item on utility bills in June 2017. Prior to this time, stormwater services were funded through the wastewater fee.

The stormwater charge has helped to fund more than 300 important City programs and initiatives, including: 

• cleaning and clearing of the City’s catch basins.
• routine camera inspections of the City’s stormwater pipes.
• inspections of the City’s stormwater management ponds and clean-out of select ponds.
• prevention of erosion and degradation of more than 150 kilometres of the natural creek system.
• proactive improvement and preventative repair of stormwater infrastructure.

Stormwater is rainwater and melted snow that runs off lawns, streets and other land surfaces. This runoff is meant to be absorbed by plants and soils or make its way back to ponds, rivers, lakes and streams. However, hard surfaces — such as pavement, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and roofs — especially in urban areas, prevent this runoff from naturally soaking into the ground.

Stormwater has several environmental impacts. Excess runoff that does not soak into the ground can pick up pollutants such as oil, pesticides, bacteria and trash prior to flowing into bodies of water that supply Vaughan’s drinking water.

You can help minimize stormwater pollution by taking these easy actions today:

• Put trash where it belongs and report litter.
• Never pour toxic chemicals or medication down drains or catch basins.
• Dispose of toxic products (like engine oil, paints, solvents and others) at local household hazardous waste centres.

The City of Vaughan is committed to Environmental Stewardship, a priority outlined in the Council-approved 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.

To learn more about the City’s stormwater ponds, visit vaughan.ca/stormwater.

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