The Building Bylaw #4690 regulates the flow of water from private property onto municipally operated, owned and controlled lands. It is important for citizens to protect their property from flooding, but it is also equally important that they do so in a way that does not damage adjacent property.

Directing water onto adjacent private lands: The bylaw prohibits people from discharging storm drainage from their land to any neighbouring land. All storm water must be discharged either into a front yard or rear yard of a residence.

Sanitary Sewer System

The sanitary sewer is a system of underground pipes that carries sewage from bathrooms, sinks, kitchens, and other plumbing components to the wastewater treatment plant.
Explosive, flammable or corrosive chemicals should not be discharged into toilets, sinks or drains, which flow into the sanitary sewer system.

Pollutants such as solvents, paints, pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals should not be flushed or dumped into the sanitary sewer system either because they can make sewage more difficult to treat and more costly for you and our other utility customers who pay for sewage treatment.

Storm Sewers

Storm sewers are designed to help prevent flooding by diverting rainfall runoff and other drainage (not sewage) into nearby rivers and creeks. The inlets to this system may be found in curbs and low-lying outdoor areas. Some older buildings have basement floor drains that connect to the storm sewer system.

Most of the drainage from Moose Jaw is into the Moose Jaw River. Substances entering the storm sewer, other than rainwater and snowmelt, may pose a threat to the health of the rivers.

Disposal of chemicals or hazardous substances via the storm sewer system is not only illegal but damages the environment. Pollutants that get into storm drains can poison fish, birds, and other wildlife, and can find their way into drinking water supplies. In addition, silt, litter, and organic matter (branches, clippings, etc.) can clog storm drains and cause flooding. Reports of anyone unlawfully discharging a substance into a storm sewer will be responded to immediately. 

Citizens must not obstruct any surface drainage facility by interfering with, restricting or preventing the flow of storm drainage. In addition, citizens must not discharge, release, or causes to be placed any substance other than storm drainage into the storm collection system.

You can help! Try these simple measures:

• Don’t dump motor oil in the lane or on street;
• Don’t pour ANYTHING into storm drains;
• Don’t wash pet waste or silt into or near drain; or
• Sweep debris into or near the drains;
• Keep drains clear of leaf and lawn litter.