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Vaughan’s approach to managing stormwater protects the environment, property and the quality of our water
The City of Vaughan is taking steps to lessen the impacts of climate change with a long-term plan for managing the potentially damaging effects of stormwater. The City’s stormwater system currently includes more than 1,000 kilometres of pipes, more than 18,000 catch basins and 143 stormwater ponds.
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is rainwater and melted snow that runs off lawns, streets and other land surfaces. This runoff is supposed to be absorbed by plants and soils or make its way back to ponds and streams. However, more hard surfaces — such as pavement, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and roofs — especially in urban areas, prevent this runoff from naturally soaking into the ground.
Why does it matter?
Stormwater has several environmental impacts. Excess runoff that doesn’t soak into the ground can pick up pollutants such as oil, pesticides, bacteria and trash before flowing into storm drains, drainage ditches and creeks. This water is not cleaned at a treatment plant first and it doesn’t get naturally filtered by the soil before it flows into rivers and lakes that supply our drinking water. It can cause higher and faster water flow during storms, resulting in flooding and property damage. It can erode rivers and streams and contribute waste and debris downstream. And it can also impact water quality and result in the reduction and loss of aquatic life and diversity.
What is Vaughan doing to manage stormwater?
Stormwater management programs help protect the environment, property and water quality. The City provides several services to manage our stormwater system, including:
How can citizens help?
There are many things that citizens can do to help minimize the impacts of stormwater, including:
Funding stormwater management in Vaughan
The City has developed an approach to funding stormwater management programs that calculates the fee according to the amount of stormwater runoff customers contribute. The stormwater charge is not a new charge. Funding was previously collected through the wastewater rate and property taxes. The stormwater charge will appear as a separate charge on the utility bill beginning in 2017. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/stormwater.