STORMWATER
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is the water that flows into sewers, creeks, and lakes after rainfall or melting snow. In natural environments, this water is absorbed by the ground or taken up by vegetation. However, in urban areas, impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots prevent water from soaking into the ground, causing it to run off quickly. As it travels, stormwater often picks up pollutants like debris, chemicals, and other contaminants, which can degrade water quality and harm ecosystems. Additionally, the increased volume and speed of runoff in urban areas contribute to higher risks of flooding and erosion. Proper stormwater management is crucial to minimizing environmental impact, protecting water quality, and reducing the risks of flooding and erosion.
What is the Municipality’s role in managing stormwater?
The Municipality is responsible for managing stormwater within its jurisdiction. This involves the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of stormwater infrastructure within the Municipal right-of-way, easements, and stormwater facilities. The Municipality’s stormwater management program plays a critical role in protecting public safety and health by reducing flood risks, controlling erosion, and preserving water quality in local waterways. The program addresses both the quantity and quality of stormwater through the management of storm sewers, ditches, inlets, stormwater management facilities (such as retention ponds), bridges, culverts, infiltration systems, oil grit separators, and storm sewer outfalls that discharge into streams and watercourses.
2024 Stormwater Rate Study
The Municipality of Thames Centre conducted a study to identify an equitable, sustainable, and reliable funding source for its stormwater management program. This study aligns with Ontario Regulation 588/17: Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure, which requires municipalities to develop long-term funding strategies for critical infrastructure. The focus of the study was on the financial aspects of stormwater management within the urban areas of Dorchester and Thorndale, including assessing current funding practices, identifying funding sources, and determining whether existing financial resources are sufficient to maintain the infrastructure.
Overview of the Stormwater Rate Study
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Assess the current expenditures, revenue sources, and asset management needs for stormwater management infrastructure.
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Determine an appropriate and affordable level of service for future stormwater projects.
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Identify and evaluate potential stormwater rate structures and funding alternatives.
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Recommend a preferred rate structure and analyze its impact compared to existing funding methods.
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Present the study’s findings and recommendations to Council.
Outcome of the 2024 Stormwater Rate Study
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Revised Fee Structure: A more equitable and balanced approach, based on property size and usage.
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Expanded Coverage: Inclusion of all lands within the Urban Boundary limits of Dorchester and Thorndale (excluding vacant, agricultural, or provincially exempt properties).
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Sustainability: Ensuring the long-term viability of stormwater services while reducing future debt burdens for upcoming generations.
2024 Stormwater Rate Presentation
Thames Centre 2024 Stormwater Rate Study
Drainage
Drainage, in accordance with the Ontario Drainage Act is to oversee the maintenance and construction of all municipal drains throughout the municipality.
A municipal drain is simply a drainage system that channels water off of agricultural land or removes excess water that collects on properties. Most municipal drains are either open ditches or closed tile systems in the ground. Structures that are considered part of municipal drains are grassed waterways, storm water retention ponds, culverts and bridges. Certain creeks and small rivers are also considered to be municipal drains. Municipal drains are created under the authority of the Drainage Act.
New Drain
Landowners wanting to acquire a drain:
1. Contact Travis Pitt
2. Complete a Petition form
3. All additional steps can be found under Section 4 of the Drainage Act.
Maintenance on Drains
Maintenance on municipal drains are the most common procedure that occur. This work includes clearing of the drain, such as removal of beavers/dams, trees, repairing/replacing tile, silting and cleaning out tiles.
Drain Maintenance Billing Procedures 2013
In the past, when drain maintenance projects were completed all affected landowners were sent an invoice as an outstanding receivable. If the payment was not received, the outstanding assessment was added to the following years taxes for collection.
In an attempt to streamline the process of billing out Municipal Drainage Maintenance projects, Council has approved the following changes:
- Net Assessment under $5.00 are to be written off
- Net Assessment under $500.00 are to be added to that years taxes for collection:
- Net Assessment over $500.00 will continue to be collected as an outstanding receivable, all affected landowners will receive an invoice together with a map showing the location of where the work was undertaken.
The Collection Debenture Policy is as follows:
- Net Assessments under $500.00- no debenture allowed
- Net Assessments of $500.00 to $5,000.00 – max. debenture of 5 yrs.
- Net Assessments $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 – max. debenture of 10 yrs.
- Net Assessments over $10,000.00 – max. debenture of 20 yrs.
Properly Draining a Pool or Hot Tub
For guidance on properly draining a pool or hot tub in Thames Centre please visit our dedicated Properly Draining a Pool or Hot Tub page!
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