Drainage and Stormwater

Freeze-thaw cycles occur throughout the winter and spring seasons. Melting snow drains from roofs, yards, and driveways, potentially creating icy conditions when temperatures freeze again. Gutters, catch basins, and culverts can freeze and block water from draining from streets.

To help prevent flooding or water damage residents can create a channel if needed to facilitate drainage to the nearest catch basin from the pooling water at the edge of your property. Free sand is available to residents in front of the Public Works Yard (10310 107 Street), residents are welcome to use this to help combat the ice on the sidewalks adjacent to their properties.

Our team works to ensure that catch basins are open, if you notice a frozen catch basin, please submit a concern online or contact Infrastructure Services at 780-939-2590.

All lots in town must be graded to ensure positive drainage away from foundations in accordance with approved lot grading plans.

Odours from storm ponds are normal and are caused by the accumulated organic material at the bottom of the pond which mixes up as the ice melts and disturbs the ‘eco-system’. The odour is temporary and will naturally disperse once the ice on the storm pond has fully melted and mixed with the rest of the water in the pond.

The odour may enter your home through your sump pump pipe, to help mitigate this inconvenience residents are encouraged to ensure that there is water in the sump during the spring melt.

Morinville currently maintains ten stormwater ponds. The wet retention stormwater ponds help to retain and treat contaminated water runoff from heavy storms and snow melt. Water is diverted to these wet retention ponds by underground pipes that connect catch basins on the street to the ponds. The pond's natural processes, which include the vegetation planted around the water and the movement of the water through the sediment, work to remove pollutants. Small outlets are then used to release water which controls the water depth. 

It is the constant movement of the water and the contaminants such as road salt that makes them unsafe for recreational use, activities such as skating in the winter and swimming or boating in the summer. 

Some of these stormwater ponds contain fountains that help with water circulation in the summer months. These fountains are generally in service from mid-May to mid-September, for updates on the activity of these fountains please see below:

• The Lakes – Not Active
• South Glens – Not Active
• Houle Drive – Not Active
• Fish and Game Pond – Not Active
• Sunshine – Not Active 

• Once you call to report a sewer back up you can expect the following:

  • A utility operator will come and assess the problem.
  • The utility operator will check the main sewer lines, both upstream and downstream from the house.
  • If the main is clear, the operator will instruct you to call a plumber.

  Next steps:

  • After the plumber has cleared the line, and if the blockage was caused by a structural failure;
  • We will schedule an appointment for staff to perform a camera inspection of your service, providing that a four inch clean out access is available in your home.
  • Staff will discuss the results of the inspection with you and advise if further action is required.