PSA: Catch basins and warm weather

With the ongoing snow melt, The City of Calgary Water Services crews are continuing their efforts to address problems with frozen catch basins and pooling. Additional crews have been brought on and other crews have been reassigned to take care of priority calls.  Calgarians are asked for their patience as crews attend to those calls. The priority in which calls are responded to is as follows:

• Property damage – water entering houses or garages or business causing damage
• Accessibility – open manholes, playground zone, school zones, hospital zones, handicap access and bus zones
• Flooded roadways including intersections

Since Friday, March 7, 2014 Water Services has received approximately 1,200 catch basin-related calls. Ten percent of the calls were property damage-related and 30 percent are considered high priority accessibility issues. There are approximately 48,000 catch basins in Calgary.

If you find there is a problem with a catch basin, The City does not advise that you try to clear it yourself as you cannot see potential hazards under the water's surface. If Calgarians notice a problem with a frozen catch basin or flooding, they should contact 3-1-1.

Melting snow can also impact your home and Calgarians are reminded of simple actions they can take themselves. Shovel snow away from your foundation and make sure your eavestroughs are clear of snow, ice and debris. Make sure your downspouts are pointed away from the house and not towards your neighbour’s.

For other tips on protecting your property from water due to snow melt visit calgary.ca/flooding.

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Public Contact Information:
The City of Calgary, 3-1-1 Operations Centre
Phone: 3-1-1 or from outside the local calling area phone 403.268.CITY (2489)