Skip to Content
A-Z-ServicesAccessibilityEmployment OpportunitiesReport an IssueMy Dutton DunwichContact Us

Municipality of Dutton Dunwich Logo

Contact Us
  • Living Here
    • Animal Control
    • Billing and Payments
    • Bylaw Enforcement
    • Cemeteries
    • Emergency Services
    • Event Calendar
    • Garbage, Recycling, Yard Waste
    • Health and Wellness
    • Library
    • My Dutton Dunwich
    • Property Taxes
    • Roads
    • Schools
    • Welcome to Dutton
  • Discover and Play
    • Community Organizations
    • Culture and Heritage
    • Event Calendar
    • Experience Dutton Dunwich
    • Parks and Recreation
    • Tourism
  • Business and Development
    • Building Services
    • Construction Updates and Timelines
    • Economic Development
    • Planning and Development
  • Municipal Services
    • A-Z Services
    • Accessibility
    • Agendas and Minutes
    • Applications, Permits and Online Forms
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Billing and Payments
    • Building Services
    • Budget and Finance
    • Bylaws and Policies
    • Commissioner of Oath
    • Contact Us
    • Council and Committee Calendar
    • Drainage
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Mayor and Council
    • My Dutton Dunwich
    • News
    • Property Taxes
    • Reporting A Problem
    • Service Ontario
    • Water and Wastewater
I'd Like To...
HomeMunicipal ServicesDrainage
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email this page Email

Drainage

The Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990 provides the legislative vehicle for the construction and management of many of the municipal drainage systems in rural Ontario.

The municipality is responsible for the management of the drainage systems constructed under the Drainage Act located within their municipal boundaries. These drainage systems, often known as “municipal drains,” are vital to the communities, roads and surrounding lands in rural Ontario.  They reduce flooding, improve safety and reduce property damage. They are as important to rural Ontario as storm sewers are to urban areas.

For more information please visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs website or contact the Drainage Superintendent at 519-762-2204.

 Drainage Assessments

Municipal drains provide a legal outlet for surface and sub-surface waters. In return, the landowners within the defined watershed pay for the ongoing maintenance of the drain.

Municipal drains are more common in the agricultural areas of the Municipality, however there are municipal drains in the urban areas along roads that will from time to time be assessed for drainage repair and maintenance.

The amount assessed for drainage maintenance will be in direct proportion to the lands owned within the watershed in accordance with the assessment schedule for the drain.

 Improvement of Existing Drain (Section 78)

Landowners can complete the Notice of Request for Drain Major Improvement Form or Notice of Request for Drain Minor Improvement Form that falls under Section 78 of the drainage Act, if an existing drain requires significant repair and as a result the repair includes changing the original drain's infrastructure in a way that is different from the original engineered plans.

Examples of this include, changing the original course of a drain, making a new outlet for the whole or part of a drain, covering all or part of the drain, widening, lengthening or deepening a drain, etc.

 Maintenance and Repair (Section 74)

Landowners can complete the Notice of Request for Drain Maintenance Form that falls under Section 74 of the Drainage Act, which includes basic maintenance & repair work.

This can include work such as clean outs, removal of beavers/dams, repairing/replacing tile and generally repairing the existing drain in a way that does not detract from the drain's original design and construction.

 New Drain (Section 4)

Landowners in an area requiring drainage can sign a Petition for Drainage Works by Owners Form, which will set in motion a project to construct a new municipal drain.

 Other Drainage Information
  • Top 10 Common Law Drainage Problems Between Rural Neighbours
  • So, What’s a Municipal Drain?
  • Duties of the Landowner Under the Drainage Act
  • Municipal Drain and the Landowner
  • Drainage Act Appeals
  • Understanding Drainage Assessments
  • Drainage Conflict – Natural Watercourses
  • Drainage Legislation
 Tile Loans
Installing tile drainage is a very common land improvement practice among farmers in Ontario.

Corrugated plastic tubing, clay and concrete drain tile are installed beneath the surface of agricultural land to drain excess water from the crop root zone.

The benefits of tile drainage for crop productivity, farm efficiency and even for reducing environmental impacts have been studied and are generally well known to farmers.

The Tile Drainage Act provides for loans to agricultural property owners to help finance these projects. A Tile Loan Program Fact Sheet and the Tile Loan Application Form are available through OMAFRA.

Municipal Services
  • A-Z Services
  • Accessibility
  • Agendas and Minutes
  • Applications, Permits and Online Forms
  • Bids and Tenders
  • Billing and Payments
  • Building Services
  • Budget and Finance
  • Bylaws and Policies
  • Commissioner of Oath
  • Contact Us
  • Council and Committee Calendar
  • Drainage
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Mayor and Council
    Toggle Section Mayor and Council Menu
    • Committees and Local Boards
      Toggle Section Committees and Local Boards Menu
      • Economic-Development
      • Heritage Committee
      • Recreation Committee
  • My Dutton Dunwich
  • News
    Toggle Section News Menu
    • News
  • Property Taxes
  • Reporting A Problem
  • Service Ontario
  • Water and Wastewater

Contact Us

Subscribe to this page

Municipality of Dutton Dunwich logo

Municipality of Dutton Dunwich
199 Currie Road
Dutton, Ontario N0L 1J0
Map This Location

Office Hours
Monday to Friday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Except for statutory holidays
Phone: (519) 762-2204
Fax: (519) 762-2278

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Follow Us

View our Facebook Page View our Twitter Page

© 2022 Municipality of Dutton Dunwich

AccessibilityContact UsFeedback FormPrivacy PolicySite mapTerms and Conditions
By GHD Digital
I'd Like To...
  • Animal Control
    • Stray dog or other animal issues?
  • Applications, Permits and Online Forms
    • Applications, Permits and Online Forms
  • Building Services
    • Need a permit to build or demolish?
  • Bylaw Enforcement
    • Want to report a bylaw issue?
  • Facility Rentals
    • Rent a facility online
  • Planning and Development
    • Learn more about planning

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.