Calgary,
18
March
2019
|
09:00
America/Denver

Public Service Announcement: #YYCSnowmelt - Get ready for it

With warm weather in the forecast this week, The City of Calgary is preparing for a quick snowmelt. As Calgarians get ready for spring, The City is providing tips to help citizens protect their homes and families during the big melt.

  1. Shovel snow away from the foundation of your home to prevent seepage into your basement. Don’t forget your window wells!
  2. Check to ensure that furnace and exhaust vents are clear of snow and ice. Blocked vents can create carbon monoxide build up.
  3. Ensure your downspouts and eavestroughs are clear and free of debris. Point or direct them away from your home/foundation and neighboring properties.
  4. Clear snow or debris away from the storm drain (catchbasin). If needed, create a channel to facilitate water flow. If you find that the storm drain is iced over, do not try to remove the ice yourself. Call 311 and a crew will clear the ice for you. Don’t chip away at ice on storm drains as you may damage it or injure yourself.
  5. If water pools near the storm drain give it 90-120 minutes to drain before contacting 311. The City has special devices in storm drains (in most communities developed after 1988) that allows the water to drain slowly and not overload the stormwater system.  If water has pooled on your road or street and has not drained after 90-120 minutes, take a photo and submit a "Catch Basin Concern" to 311 - on the web or through our mobile app.
  6. If you see pooled water on a roadway, be extra cautious. Don’t drive through deep water as you can’t see potential risks or conditions that might be unsafe.
  7. Test your sump pump. Spring is the ideal time to test your sump pump. A working pump will prevent flooding in your basement.

Storm drains are a critical piece to Calgary’s stormwater management system. There are about 60,000 drains in Calgary which drain water off sidewalks, streets and roads. Don’t know where your nearest storm drain is? Check out our interactive map at calgary.ca/snowmelt.  

Remember, the majority of Calgary’s storm drain system enters into the Bow and Elbow Rivers without water quality treatment, so it’s important to make sure the water draining into it is as clean and free of debris as possible.

For more information, visit calgary.ca/stormdrains.

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