Review and Update of Ditch Alteration Policy

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Consultation has concluded

The City of Ottawa has approximately 8,500 km of watermains and sewers, with a further 6,010 km of roadside ditches. The current Ditch Alteration Policy was put in place in 2008 and is being updated to better align with other City of Ottawa policy's related to storm water and sewage systems.

To begin, the City updated the Local Improvement Policy and has initiated the review of the Ditch Alteration Policy. The updated Ditch Alteration Policy will provide direction for ditch alterations and alignment with the City's enforcement activities. Council has directed the City to update the Ditch Alteration Policy to increase consistency and transparency, better educate property owners about the importance of ditches, and increase protection of public and private property.

The current mechanism to alter a ditch is detailed in the Local Improvement Process. The Ditch Alteration Policy will focus on lot-by-lot requests and protecting the City of Ottawa’s stormwater management system.

The City will be hosting a public information session to present the proposed recommendations and obtain feedback from residents of Ottawa.

The City of Ottawa has approximately 8,500 km of watermains and sewers, with a further 6,010 km of roadside ditches. The current Ditch Alteration Policy was put in place in 2008 and is being updated to better align with other City of Ottawa policy's related to storm water and sewage systems.

To begin, the City updated the Local Improvement Policy and has initiated the review of the Ditch Alteration Policy. The updated Ditch Alteration Policy will provide direction for ditch alterations and alignment with the City's enforcement activities. Council has directed the City to update the Ditch Alteration Policy to increase consistency and transparency, better educate property owners about the importance of ditches, and increase protection of public and private property.

The current mechanism to alter a ditch is detailed in the Local Improvement Process. The Ditch Alteration Policy will focus on lot-by-lot requests and protecting the City of Ottawa’s stormwater management system.

The City will be hosting a public information session to present the proposed recommendations and obtain feedback from residents of Ottawa.

Consultation has concluded
  • Share I’d like to understand if I can modify the ditch in front of my property, so that the storm water can run in an underground culvert rather than an open-air ditch. on Facebook Share I’d like to understand if I can modify the ditch in front of my property, so that the storm water can run in an underground culvert rather than an open-air ditch. on Twitter Share I’d like to understand if I can modify the ditch in front of my property, so that the storm water can run in an underground culvert rather than an open-air ditch. on Linkedin Email I’d like to understand if I can modify the ditch in front of my property, so that the storm water can run in an underground culvert rather than an open-air ditch. link

    I’d like to understand if I can modify the ditch in front of my property, so that the storm water can run in an underground culvert rather than an open-air ditch.

    KrisWong asked almost 3 years ago

    Good day,

     

    Thank you for your question regarding ditch alteration.

     

    Ditches are part of a large network that manages storm water in and around your area. A property owner is not permitted to make any alterations to an existing ditch (including installing a culvert) without approval from the City. If you would like to widen your driveway and install a longer culvert, you would require a Private Approach permit. To apply for a Private Approach permit, please visit Driveways and laneways | City of Ottawa. For filling in the ditch completely, please contact the City via email LI-AL@ottawa.ca to discuss potential options.

     

    Thank you.

  • Share The ditch in front of my house has destroyed my driveway and culvert. When will you repair it? on Facebook Share The ditch in front of my house has destroyed my driveway and culvert. When will you repair it? on Twitter Share The ditch in front of my house has destroyed my driveway and culvert. When will you repair it? on Linkedin Email The ditch in front of my house has destroyed my driveway and culvert. When will you repair it? link

    The ditch in front of my house has destroyed my driveway and culvert. When will you repair it?

    CJ Godkin asked almost 3 years ago

     

    Good day,

     

    Thank you for your question regarding a damaged driveway and culvert.

     

    Roads and Parking Services perform ditch maintenance during spring flooding and through responding to Service Requests. The replacement of culverts is dependent on how the damage occurred, which is determined through an inspection by a Roads and Parking Services staff member.

     

    Unfortunately, without additional information, we cannot be of assistance at this time. To create a Service Request, please go online at https://ottawa.ca/en/3-1-1 or call the Contact Centre at 3-1-1 and provide your name, address, and phone number to submit your Service Request.


    Thank you.

  • Share Why is it the water drainage in Country Hills estates has still not been fixed, maintained or addressed? Neighborhood homes have sump pumps that run 24hrs a day. What is the city going to do to fix these issues?? on Facebook Share Why is it the water drainage in Country Hills estates has still not been fixed, maintained or addressed? Neighborhood homes have sump pumps that run 24hrs a day. What is the city going to do to fix these issues?? on Twitter Share Why is it the water drainage in Country Hills estates has still not been fixed, maintained or addressed? Neighborhood homes have sump pumps that run 24hrs a day. What is the city going to do to fix these issues?? on Linkedin Email Why is it the water drainage in Country Hills estates has still not been fixed, maintained or addressed? Neighborhood homes have sump pumps that run 24hrs a day. What is the city going to do to fix these issues?? link

    Why is it the water drainage in Country Hills estates has still not been fixed, maintained or addressed? Neighborhood homes have sump pumps that run 24hrs a day. What is the city going to do to fix these issues??

    Jpow asked almost 3 years ago

    Good Day,

     

    Thank you for your question regarding the usage of sump pumps in Country Hill Estates.

     

    The ditches in rural subdivisions are designed to direct surface water away from the roadway and homes.

     

    During periods of increased precipitation or the spring melt, water volumes can increase to levels beyond the capacity for a ditch system to direct water away and the ditch will instead start to hold water. The water in the ditch will slowly infiltrate back into the ground and recharge the aquifer.

     

    Due to high water tables in rural areas, some subdivisions, require the usage of Sump pumps 24/7 during times when the aquifer is charged. This will subside during times of dry conditions.

     

    Thank you.

  • Share Is there not a better picture in the Urban area rather. We have much better more representative pictures. on Facebook Share Is there not a better picture in the Urban area rather. We have much better more representative pictures. on Twitter Share Is there not a better picture in the Urban area rather. We have much better more representative pictures. on Linkedin Email Is there not a better picture in the Urban area rather. We have much better more representative pictures. link

    Is there not a better picture in the Urban area rather. We have much better more representative pictures.

    NancyJ asked almost 3 years ago

    Good day,

     

    Thank you for your question regarding the choice of photo for the Engage Ottawa webpage.

     

    The City of Ottawa is only able to use a specific set of “stock” photos that have been already compiled. In this instance we believed that this photo best represented the City of Ottawa ditch system.

     

    Thank you

  • Share Will the replacement of private culverts be paid for by the City in the event that replacement is necessary during ditch alterations? on Facebook Share Will the replacement of private culverts be paid for by the City in the event that replacement is necessary during ditch alterations? on Twitter Share Will the replacement of private culverts be paid for by the City in the event that replacement is necessary during ditch alterations? on Linkedin Email Will the replacement of private culverts be paid for by the City in the event that replacement is necessary during ditch alterations? link

    Will the replacement of private culverts be paid for by the City in the event that replacement is necessary during ditch alterations?

    Doug MacGregor asked almost 3 years ago

    Good day,

     

    Thank you for your question regarding ditch alteration.

     

    The party that is responsible for costs accumulated during the alteration process depend on the reason for such changes.

     

    If the City of Ottawa deems the ditch was altered without the proper approvals, then the responsibility and costs fall to the owner to repair the ditch back to an approved state.

     

    However, If the City of Ottawa has initiated a change to the drainage system that requires the alteration of an existing ditch system then the cost would be on the City to make the alterations that have been approved.

     

    I hope this response helps clarify payment responsibilities of individual parties.

     

    Thank you