Canada Post is currently experiencing a service disruption, which may result in delays in mail delivery—including your water and sewer bill. To ensure timely access, we encourage residents to use the online billing portal.
All residents, properties and businesses in the City of Clarence-Rockland benefit from stormwater management. It keeps streets and basements dry, local waterways healthy and our drinking water sources clean.
Ways the City of Clarence-Rockland manages stormwater are:
storm sewers;
catch basins;
stormwater outlets;
wet and dry ponds;
municipal drains;
culverts; and
roadside ditches;
Lot Grading
The grade of your property is designed to direct water away from your home towards ideal areas for drainage. Keep these frequently asked grading questions in mind before starting any landscaping projects.
Frequently Asked Grading Questions
Proper lot grading keeps surface water away from your home. Your lot should be sloped away from the home to allow all surface water to soak into the ground or flow towards the property line. Changes to the grade of your lot can significantly impact how water flows across your property. This can damage your foundation, causing erosion or flooding basements and streets.
Property owners are responsible for maintaining the lot grade elevations established by the original grading plan. When hiring private contractors for landscaping or yard alteration, ensure that they respect the intended drainage design when carrying out the work. This will reduce additional costs and stress that stems from improper lot grading.
You can obtain your property's grading plan by contacting the Construction Department or completing a Freedom of Information Request at the Client Service Centre.
Speaking with your neighbour is the first step. Inform them on how their drainage may negatively impact your property.
Small gardens are permitted as long as they do not interfere with the intended drainage of your property. Do not fill in sloped swales or depressions. Never cover a catch basin, they are designed to help remove excess water from your lawn.
Catch basins assist both you and properties abutting your lot in removing excess water. Never block a catch basin as that may increase the chances of local flooding. Never pour anything down a catch basin as this leads directly to a nearby waterway.
Water from a downspout should flow onto your property and soak into the ground. Never direct water onto a neighbour's property, a sidewalk, right of way or easement. If space is limited, redirect water to the intended drainage point. Your downspout should be directed away from your home to a permeable surface such as grass. Extend your downspout at least four feet away from your foundation while respecting your neighbour's property.
