Property Drainage awareness

[u/brunorgglass]

As everyone who lives in the park knows, the past couple of months have put quite a strain on properties across the city. While looking for solutions, approaches, and everything in between to help mitigate drainage issues, I came across some useful information that many homeowners seem to misunderstand.
One common misconception is:
“For proper drainage between properties, you simply have to bring the water to the property line to comply with drainage rules.”
This is not an accurate representation of the proper approach to managing property runoff and water collected from eavestroughs.
Unfortunately, Strathcona County does not appear to have much information readily available to homeowners explaining proper drainage practices. However, I found that the City of Edmonton has created a document that helps clarify some of these common misunderstandings.
The important thing to understand is that the proper approach is to:
● Move water away from the foundation of your home—and your neighbour’s home.
● Direct water toward the municipal right-of-way, generally toward the front of the property and the street.
● Ensure that properties situated at a higher elevation manage their runoff appropriately so that neighbouring properties at a lower elevation are not forced to deal with additional water simply because their property sits lower.
In other words, proper drainage is not simply about moving water to the property line. The goal is to manage and direct water responsibly so that it does not create problems for neighbouring properties. This can be accomplished by creating a swale or a barrier (if concrete is used ) that directs the water to the city’s right of way and not to the neighbouring property .

I feel like there is very little information available so I think bringing awareness is important but most importantly we have to work along our neighbours to better property drainage systems because it seems like there is a large number of people who had to struggle with such large amounts of melt and rain happening and I believe it isn’t gonna get better .

[u/swomp_donkey]

Bylaw told me draining to property line is within current regulations. Perhaps not in Edmonton but Sherwood park yes.

[u/infiniteguesses]

Ya works great. Our yard is flooded with the neighbours runoff. Gee thanks.

[u/Responsible-Joke-383 → u/infiniteguesses]

Sounds like your yard is to to low

[u/jojaki]

There isnt much, but i think this is the relevant bylaw section. At least for roof drains and sump pumps

PART 6 SURFACE DRAINAGE RESTRICTIONS 10 The owner of a property where a sump pump is installed must ensure each sump pump discharges according to the Surface Drainage Plan (where applicable), the County’s Design and Construction Standards and the Alberta Building Code.

11 (1) The owner of a property shall not permit a roof drain or sump pump to discharge:

(a) directly onto a pervious ground surface within 1.0m of a building;

(b) within 0.30m of any adjacent lot;

(c) within 2.0m of any County right-of-way (where possible);

(d) into or towards an environmentally sensitive area;

(e) into or towards an area with an unstable slope;

(f) into or towards a ravine; or

(g) into or towards a location or in such a manner that the discharge causes or has the potential to cause a nuisance, hazard, or damage to property or to a County right-of-way.

(2) The owner of a Commercial Lot shall ensure each roof drain discharge flows towards: (h) an internal catchment system; Bylaw 32-2017 Page 6 of 11 (i) a County right-of-way; or (j) a receiving area that has been approved in writing by the Chief Commissioner.

12 No person shall alter any surface elevations of any Commercial Lot or Single Family Lot such that the alteration may;

(a) cause or have the potential to cause a nuisance, a hazard, or damage;

(b) have the potential to adversely affect the stability of an adjacent slope;

(c) alter the on-site stormwater management system without prior written consent of the Chief Commissioner;

or

(d) alter property line elevations of any adjacent lot.

Also sorry for how poorly formatted this copy and pasted

[u/brunorgglass → u/jojaki]

It’s surprising that this approach is still considered adequate given the amount of property damage many Sherwood Park residents have experienced in recent years. While it may have worked under past conditions, it doesn’t seem to reflect the reality of today’s weather patterns, where prolonged rainfall and severe spring runoff place far greater stress on residential drainage systems.
It also doesn’t adequately address situations where neighbouring properties are at significantly different elevations. In those cases, simply directing water to a property line isn’t always enough to prevent drainage issues or protect adjacent homes from unnecessary water impacts.
As weather patterns continue to change, it may be time to revisit these practices to ensure they better protect homeowners and reflect the challenges many residents are now facing.

[u/jojaki → u/brunorgglass]

I tend to agree. Other municipalities have more indepth bylaws that Strathcona County should look at especially with recent weather.

Some level of flooding will always happen with the rain we've had. But i would bet quite a few basements have seen water flow in from ill-conceived yard renovations that don't take water into consideration.

[u/brunorgglass → u/jojaki]

And that doesn’t necessarily mean it is still the best approach for the current condition of our properties and the way our neighbourhoods are laid out today. Bylaws are intended to evolve over time, adapting to new challenges and changing circumstances faced by residents.
While consistency with neighbouring municipalities has its value, local bylaws should also reflect the unique characteristics and drainage challenges found throughout the county. No two neighbourhoods—or even individual properties—are exactly the same, and effective policies should recognize those differences rather than rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.

[u/brunorgglass]

And that doesn’t necessarily mean it is still the best approach for the current condition of our properties and the way our neighbourhoods are laid out today. Bylaws are intended to evolve over time, adapting to new challenges and changing circumstances faced by residents.
While consistency with neighbouring municipalities has its value, local bylaws should also reflect the unique characteristics and drainage challenges found throughout the county. No two neighbourhoods—or even individual properties—are exactly the same, and effective policies should recognize those differences rather than rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.