Stormwater & Drainage

Stormwater is rainwater and melted snow that runs off streets, lawns, and other surfaces. Vermilion’s stormwater system includes drains, ditches, and ponds designed to collect and move surface water away from properties to help reduce flooding and water damage.

Stormwater Drains & Catch Basins

Stormwater drains and catch basins are inspected and flushed annually to remove debris and allow water to flow properly.

During spring melt, catch basins can become blocked by snow and debris. Residents can help reduce localized flooding by keeping catch basins clear and reporting frozen or blocked catch basins to the Town.

Stormwater Ditches

Stormwater ditches collect excess water from streets and ponds during snowmelt and heavy rainfall. These ditches are typically dry and surrounded by natural vegetation such as grasses and shrubs.

When filled with water, ditches may also contain underwater vegetation and algae. For health and safety reasons, contact with stormwater ditches is not recommended.

Stormwater Ponds

Stormwater ponds are man-made features designed to manage large volumes of runoff during heavy rain and snowmelt events. While they may appear similar to natural ponds, they serve a different purpose and have important safety considerations:

• Designed to temporarily store and slow stormwater runoff

• Collect water from streets and developed areas, which may contain sediment, fertilizers, chemicals, sand, and debris

• Water levels can rise quickly during heavy rainfall

• Some ponds may be dry until filled during storms

• Vegetation and algae are common

• Contact with stormwater pond water is not recommended

• Odours may occur temporarily when sediment is exposed during drainage or freezing

• Stormwater ponds are not intended for recreation and are unsafe for activities such as swimming, skating, boating, or wading

Water Seepage and Flood Prevention

Water seepage into your home or yard can occur for a variety of reasons and may not always be caused by rainfall or snowmelt. Common causes include:

• Sump pump discharge

• Draining swimming pools

• Leaks in sprinkler systems

• Rain barrels that are overflowing or not level

• Natural groundwater springs

• Plugged eavestroughs or poorly positioned downspouts

Identifying the Source of Water

If you are unsure where water is entering your home, you can perform a simple test during dry weather:

• Run a garden hose near the area where you believe water may be entering

• Check window wells, joints, and foundation cracks for moisture

• Cracks in foundations can occur due to normal settling, ground pressure, or construction issues

To help prevent seepage, consider:

• Improving exterior drainage

• Sealing interior foundation walls

• Waterproofing the exterior of the foundation

High Water Table Concerns

High groundwater levels can also cause water to enter basements, even without visible cracks. In these cases, pressure from groundwater can force moisture up through the basement floor, sometimes appearing as a thin layer of water.

To test for groundwater intrusion:

• Place a plastic sheet on the basement floor for two days

• If moisture appears underneath the plastic, groundwater may be the cause

Installing a sump pump or weeping tile system may be required to address ongoing groundwater issues.

Grading is the shaping and sloping of land to direct rainwater, snowmelt, and groundwater toward the stormwater management system. Proper grading can significantly reduce the risk of water entering your home.

When grading or landscaping your property:

• Ensure there is a minimum 5% slope away from the home for the first 1.5 metres

• Make sure water has a clear path away from the foundation

Changes such as adding fences, sheds, decks, or altering landscaping can interfere with natural drainage. These changes may cause water to collect in your yard or flow back toward your home, increasing the risk of seepage through foundation walls, window wells, or into the sewer system.

Drainage swales are shallow, sloped channels designed to direct surface water away from buildings and toward the stormwater management system.

When properly constructed and maintained, swales help prevent water pooling and reduce the risk of flooding on private property.

Eavestroughs and downspouts collect roof runoff and direct it away from your home.

To reduce the risk of foundation issues:

• Regularly clean eavestroughs and downspouts to remove debris and ice

• Ensure downspouts are fitted with an elbow or splash pad

• Direct water at least 1.5 metres away from the foundation

⚠️ Important:
Downspouts connected to sanitary sewer lines are prohibited, as they can cause sewer backups during heavy rainfall. Disconnecting a downspout without proper grading may result in surface flooding if water cannot drain away from the home.

Weeping tile is a perforated pipe installed around the exterior of a foundation to collect and redirect groundwater away from the home. Groundwater enters the perforated pipe and drains into a sump pit, rather than seeping into the foundation.

Most modern systems use perforated plastic pipe; however, older homes may still have clay weeping tile. Over time, clay tile can break down, collapse, or become blocked. Water will follow the path of least resistance and may begin to seep into the basement if the system fails. Tree roots can also infiltrate weeping tile and cause blockages.

It is recommended that basements have a sump pump as a preventative measure to protect the foundation and interior of the home.

A sump pump is installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace, typically in a sump pit. The pit collects groundwater from weeping tiles around the foundation. When water in the pit reaches a certain level, a float activates the pump, which then discharges the water away from the home.

It is recommended that all basements be equipped with a backwater valve to help protect against sewer backups.

A backwater valve is a one-way control valve installed on the sewer service line. If wastewater begins to flow back toward the home, the valve closes and helps prevent sewage from backing up into the basement.

Regular inspection, cleaning, and testing of the backwater valve is recommended to ensure it is functioning properly.

During heavy rainstorms, reducing water use inside your home can help lower demand on the sewer system and reduce the risk of sewer backups.

Simple actions such as avoiding laundry, dishwashing, or long showers during extreme weather events can help protect your home.