Ditch & Culvert Maintenance

Ditch maintenance is a shared responsibility between property owners and the City. Depending on the location of the ditch, these responsibilities vary. Below summarizes maintenance responsibilities.

Urban/suburban/rural subdivisions

Property owner:

• Routine maintenance and flushing of culvert

• Removal of debris

• Removal of root infiltration caused by a private tree

• Remove silt and sand build-up

• Maintain boulevard, including cutting grass, weeds, and alike

• Replacement of deteriorated or damaged culverts

City:

• Re-establish the grade and slope to the original design to maintain positive drainage, as part of a larger maintenance program

• For identified culverts in the larger maintenance program, flush to remove silt and sand.

Rural (not part of subdivision)

Property owner:

• Routine maintenance and flushing of culvert

• Replacement of deteriorated or damaged culverts

City:

• Removal of debris

• Re-establish the grade and slope to its original design to maintain positive drainage, as part of a larger maintenance program

• Flush culverts to remove silt and sand, as part of a larger maintenance program

• Cut grass and weeds twice a year (spring and late summer)

• Related items

For inquiries regarding Driveways and culvert crossings please contact rowadmin@ottawa.ca(link opens email application).

For the following inquiries, please submit a Service Request online at ottawa.ca/en/3-1-1 or call the Contact Centre at 3-1-1:

• Ditch and culvert problems – Public Works Department

• Grass Cutting inquiries – Public Works Department

• Flooded Roadway from Blocked Catchbasin – Public Works Department

• Flooded Roadway not from Blocked Catchbasin – Infrastructure & Water Services Department

• Grade alterations causing drainage problems – Infrastructure & Water Services Department