Protecting Our Stormwater System
Everyday activities around our homes and neighbourhoods can affect the quality of water entering Spruce Grove's stormwater system.
When rain falls or snow melts, water flows over surfaces like roads, driveways and lawns, picking up pollutants along the way. Unlike household wastewater, stormwater isn't sent to a wastewater treatment plant before entering the local watershed.
Residents can help protect the stormwater system and local water quality through everyday actions, including keeping leaves and grass clippings out of catch basins, properly disposing of household chemicals and preventing pollutants from entering stormwater runoff.
Caring for stormwater management facilities
Stormwater management facilities and the naturalized areas surrounding them play an important role in managing runoff, protecting water quality and supporting local ecosystems.
Residents can help protect these areas by:
- Leaving naturalized grasses, plants and other vegetation undisturbed.
- Refraining from mowing, removing vegetation, planting trees or creating private access through stormwater facility lands.
- Keeping garbage, yard waste and other materials out of stormwater facilities.
- Never releasing aquarium fish, aquatic plants or other organisms into stormwater facilities, or introducing invasive vegetation such as Himalayan balsam and Phragmites around them. Invasive species can spread quickly, disrupt local ecosystems and harm native plants and wildlife.
- Following the City's stormwater facility safety guidelines by keeping people and pets off the water and ice. Water continues to flow in and out of these facilities, even during winter, creating unpredictable ice conditions. Access is prohibited year-round.
Everyday actions to protect the stormwater system
Leaves, grass clippings, fertilizers and other yard materials can be carried by rainwater into catch basins and stormwater management facilities. These materials can affect water quality, contribute to algae growth and interfere with the stormwater system.
Residents can help protect the stormwater system by:
- Keeping leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste out of streets and catch basins.
- Composting or properly disposing of yard waste instead of sweeping or blowing it onto roads. Residents can also review the City's property maintenance guidelines for information about yard upkeep and community standards.
- Using fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides responsibly, following product instructions and avoiding application before heavy rainfall.
- Watering lawns and gardens only as needed to reduce excess runoff.
These actions help reduce pollutants entering the stormwater system and protect local water quality.
Rainfall and melting snow can carry salt, de-icers, soaps and other materials from driveways, sidewalks and roads into the stormwater system. These substances can affect water quality and the ecosystems supported by stormwater management facilities.
Residents can help reduce these impacts by:
- Shovelling snow and removing ice before applying salt or de-icers, while following the City's sidewalk snow and ice removal requirements.
- Using only the amount of salt or de-icer needed and following product instructions.
- Sweeping up excess salt and sand when conditions allow, rather than washing it into the street.
- Keeping soaps, detergents and other cleaning products out of streets and catch basins, as required under the City's Municipal Stormwater Utility Bylaw.
Reducing the amount of salt and other contaminants carried by runoff into stormwater facilities helps protect water quality throughout the year.
Water from pools and hot tubs often contains chlorine and other chemicals that can harm water quality and aquatic ecosystems if released into the stormwater system.
Under the City's Municipal Stormwater Utility Bylaw C-1451-26, chlorine and chloramines are prohibited from entering the stormwater system.
When draining a pool or hot tub:
- Drain chlorinated water into the sanitary sewer system through an appropriate indoor drain, such as a floor drain or bathtub/shower drain.
- Alternatively, use de-chlorination products according to their instructions and test water to ensure chlorine levels to reach zero before draining outdoors.
- Allow chlorine to dissipate naturally by stopping chemical treatments and giving the water time to dechlorinate. Confirm chlorine levels have reached zero before draining outdoors.
- Ensure water does not cause flooding, erosion or damage to neighbouring properties.
Proper drainage helps prevent harmful chemicals from entering the stormwater system and local waterways.
Many everyday household products contain substances that can harm water quality if they enter catch basins or stormwater management facilities.
Products such as paint, solvents, motor oil, cleaning chemicals and other hazardous materials should never be poured onto streets, into catch basins or onto the ground where they may enter stormwater runoff.
To help protect the stormwater system:
- Dispose of household hazardous waste through appropriate collection and disposal programs, including the City's Eco Centre, which accepts household hazardous waste free of charge.
- Clean up spills promptly and prevent liquids from reaching nearby catch basins.
- Avoid washing paint, chemicals or cleaning products into streets or outdoor drains.
- Store household chemicals securely to prevent leaks and spills.
Proper disposal keeps harmful substances out of the stormwater system and protects local water quality.
For more information about how stormwater is collected and managed, the benefits of stormwater management facilities and the City's approach to maintenance, visit the Stormwater Management page.