Leaves, downspouts and sump pumps: the Town of Oakville's fall checklist for cutting flood risk at home

What the Town is asking

In an October 5 news release, the Town of Oakville reminded residents that fall brings intense rainfall, strong winds and large amounts of fallen leaves that can clog catch basins, roadside drains, eavestroughs and downspouts. It asked homeowners to take simple preventive steps now to protect their property and help the stormwater system cope when heavy rain hits.

• Clear leaves and debris from eavestroughs, downspouts, window wells and drainage swales.
• Keep the catch basins on your street free of leaves and anything else that blocks water.
• Make sure sump pumps are working properly.
• Point downspouts away from the foundation and toward suitable drainage areas.
• Check the basement regularly for signs of water getting in, and maintain backwater valves according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Store important documents and valuables where water is less likely to reach them, and keep an emergency preparedness kit for your family and pets.
• Sign up for Conservation Halton and Credit Valley Conservation flood messages, and for the Town's e-Alerts for weather emergencies.

Whose job is the drainage

The Town says private drainage is generally the property owner's responsibility. Homeowners are expected to maintain lot grading, swales, downspouts, ditches and driveway culverts so water drains properly and does not affect neighbouring properties. The release notes that basement flooding can happen when intense rain exceeds the capacity of drainage systems or when private infrastructure is not maintained. The Town says it continues to invest in stormwater infrastructure and flood mitigation, but that more frequent and intense extreme weather makes property-level preparation increasingly important.

Who to call

For basement flooding, the Town's Flooding page also points residents to Halton Region's enhanced basement flooding program and the Region's guidance on what to do after a flood. The Town adds that it does not advise homeowners on insurance, and that residents should contact their own insurer about claims.