Stormwater Management
Stormwater is rain and melted snow that does not soak into the ground and becomes surface runoff. The water flows into storm sewers and nearby streams and rivers.
Stormwater management manages the water that comes from impervious surfaces. Rural areas, such as farmland, pastures and woodlands, are usually pervious. These areas absorb the rainfall and generate a small volume of runoff. Urban areas contain a higher percentage of impervious surfaces. Large amounts of water runoff can overwhelm natural channels and streams, causing erosion, localized flooding, and property damage.
Why are stormwater ponds needed
They maintain natural water sources. It is important to protect them from the effects of urban development. A stormwater management control strategy reduces the chance of flooding, stream erosion and water pollution in urban areas.
Management
Oshawa manages stormwater in three ways:
| Control option | Examples |
|---|---|
|
Source |
Rain barrels, downspouts and cisterns, rain gardens etc. |
|
Conveyance |
Conveying stormwater via storm drains/sewers, swales, channels etc. |
|
End-of-pipe |
Control the effects of urbanization for flood and erosion control and water quality improvement and include stormwater management ponds, wetlands, infiltration basins etc. End-of-pipe facilities temporarily store stormwater runoff and release it at a controlled rate. Although the volume of runoff does not decrease, it reduces the risk of flooding as all the stormwater runoff does not arrive at the stream at the same time. |
Stormwater management pond
Stormwater Management Ponds are engineered structures that collect rainfall and surface runoff (stormwater) from subdivisions/neighbourhoods. Stormwater enters catch basins and storm sewers and then drains into a stormwater management pond. The pond temporarily stores and releases the water at a controlled rate to prevent downstream flooding. The pond also allows sediment and other pollution to filter and settle out, vastly improving the quality of water that is ultimately discharged to the natural environment.
2024 Stormwater Pond Sediment Removal/Cleaning Projects
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Harmony Horizons Subdivision stormwater pond located at 625 Brasswinds Trail.
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Work will be completed between April and June 2024.
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Kingmeadow Residential Subdivision stormwater pond located at 190 Conlin Rd. E.
- Work will be completed Summer/Fall 2024.
Public Safety
Community members are encouraged to be cautious around stormwater management ponds and keep a safe distance. Conditions in Stormwater Management Ponds can change rapidly due to fluctuating water levels, and are NOT safe for:
- Skating in the winter
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Release of pets/invasive species (e.g. goldfish, turtles, etc.)
- Illegal dumping and littering
A lot of the water in these ponds comes from catch basins; it is important to avoid littering and dumping into catch basins and pick up dog waste to avoid contamination.
Stormwater Pond Maintenance
Stormwater Ponds need to be appropriately maintained to function correctly. Unmaintained stormwater ponds will:
- Fill up with sediment and debris, increasing the risk of flooding and reducing the storage capacity
- Not remove pollutants effectively, resulting in polluted water entering rivers and streams
- Increase future costs associated with stormwater management
The City manages and maintains more than 25 stormwater ponds, usually located in neighbourhoods where stormwater can be conveniently collected. They are inspected annually for sediment buildup and proper function.
The City has a program to clean these ponds at least once every ten years or sooner if needed. This process involves draining and removing sediment that the pond has captured, litter pickup, vegetation management and improving the infrastructure of the pond to remove any blockages. Any areas disturbed during the cleaning process are restored to their original conditions.