Drainage & Flooding
Drainage
The City of Martensville uses a combination of surface drainage and storm sewer to drain water. Water is directed into storm water retention ponds prior to exiting the City via the Opimihaw Creek.
Water pooling on your property can seep into your house, harm vegetation, and be a breeding ground mosquitoes.
Landowners are responsible for ensuring water does not run onto an adjacent property and that the flow of water is not restricted by fences built across the rear of the property.
Drainage swales can be placed along the rear of properties that do not have rear lanes, or along the side yards between properties to help direct water either to the street or to the rear of the property. These swales must remain in place and be incorporated into the landscaping of the property.
Flooding
Saskatchewan Health provides information on flooding prevention and links to additional information on flooding and flood prevention.
Sump Pump Tips
Maintain your approved lot grade plan. Do not change this plan when you landscape your property. Sump pump pipes should discharge water at least two meters from the back foundation wall onto your back yard
If your sump pump discharges on the ground, place a splash pad below where the sump pump discharge pipe comes through the foundation wall.
Use long pipes to drain away sump pump discharge. A flexible hose with holes works well to distribute the water to your back yard.
Slope the ground below the discharge pipe down and away from the foundation wall.
Never turn off your sump pump.
Do not hook up your sump drainage to the sanitary sewer system. The sanitary sewer system is designed to manage normal flows of sewage, not rainwater or water from sump pumps.
It is dangerous to drain sump water on to the sidewalk. Freezing can result in ice build-up and a slippery surface which can result in a liability issue for the homeowner.
Consider a backup battery system for your sump pump in case of power outages.
City of Martensville Sump Pump Bylaw
Building a New Home?
Water must be directed property through final grading of your property, and the best methods to direct water depend on your setting and the contour of the land.
Land developers must establish suitable lot grades for every lot sold in Martensville based on a design established by the City engineer. An elevation plan will be attached to your Development Permit. When the land surveyor stakes your basement, he/she will establish that grade on the ground for the concrete contractor. Constructing your house at the proper level is extremely important both for the appearance of the home, and to ensure proper functioning of the drainage system. Both can affect the resale value of your home when you decide to sell.
Grade Elevations
Frequently Asked Questions about Flooding & Drainage
My neighbor has built/altered his yard to a different elevation than mine. What can the City do about it?
Martensville homeowners are sometimes faced with drainage and related problems because of the grading of their own and/or neighboring properties. As these properties are privately owned, the City of Martensville can only make suggestions to provide advice about how a problem of this type might be resolved. The problem is a civil issue that can be resolved best by the affected parties involved (you and your neighbor).
After a rainfall, my yard becomes flooded because my neighbor's downspouts discharge directly onto my property. What should I do?
The most obvious solution is to talk to your neighbor and make them aware of the problem. It is the responsibility of each resident to ensure that their downspouts (roof leaders) drain onto their own property and away from their house.
I have a flat concrete pile along the property line of my property. What is it? What is it for?
The structure in question is likely a concrete elevation pile. Lot Grade Elevation Piles can be identified by a plate marked “Final Grade” on the top and can be found at the back of the property either along a side or rear property line. The purpose of an elevation pile is to assist property owners to find the correct finished grade of their property and direct surface storm water runoff away off their property. It is important for homeowners to ensure that their yard is graded to drain water as directed by the Lot Grading Plan designed by the City engineer. A concrete elevation pile is typically shared between adjacent neighbors and because of this, it is important to keep the pile free of garbage, dirt or other debris as this could prevent the intended flow of water and cause damage to your upstream neighbor's property.
My neighbor's yard is built considerably higher than mine and therefore all of his rainwater and irrigation water flows into my yard. What can be done to stop this?
Talk to your neighbour. Determine which lot is not to grade and properly grade it to the correct elevation. If this is not practical, investigate whether constructing a retaining wall between your properties will solve this problem. In most situations where there is significant difference in elevations between yards, a retaining wall will benefit both homeowners. The yard of lower elevation should receive less of his neighbor's runoff water and the owner of the property of higher elevation, should benefit as his side yard will not have such a dramatic slope, which will provide them with more useable yard.
I've just bought a new home, how do I know if my homebuilder graded my yard properly?
Every new residential lot developed in the City of Martensville has been assigned grades so that all lots drain in a contiguous manner. An elevation plan will be attached to your Development Permit. Elevation piles are installed by the land developer in the rear of the property to assist home owners grading their individual properties according to the engineered plan. Check to see if the elevation plan is on the City web site and compare this to your property. Correct the site grading if the yard is not to grade.
I live in an older home and experience flooding in my basement after rainstorms. How can I prevent this?
Check your yard's lot grading, particularly around your home's foundation as settlement is likely to occur over time. Older homes were required to bring the finished grade level to a minimum 450mm above the back of the sidewalk. Down spouts should be directed away from the foundation and take the water away from the perimeter of the house at least two meters to keep water from saturating the foundation and overwhelming the weeping tile. Snow should be removed away from the foundation in spring prior to melting. Seal all cracks in your foundation and between your house and driveway.
Why is it important to keep storm water out of the sanitary sewer system?
Unauthorized connections put more water into the sanitary sewer system than it is designed to handle. This increases the risk of sewage backup and basement flooding. Environmental and health concerns escalate when the sanitary sewer system is overtaxed. Sewage may not be treated as effectively. Raw sewage may be diverted into the river or holding areas.
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