The City of Belleville is responsible for the collection and management of stormwater on municipal roadways and allowances.
What is stormwater
Stormwater is rainfall and melting snow that soaks into the ground or runs off surfaces into storm sewers and nearby waterways. As cities grow, natural landscapes are turned into roads, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and buildings. These surfaces do not allow water to soak into the ground which leads to increased stormwater runoff. As it flows, stormwater picks up dirt, road salts, garbage and pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides and oil and carries this pollution downstream. To lower the risk of flooding and protect water quality, cities use a variety of practices and technologies to manage stormwater.
How we manage stormwater
In Belleville, there are multiple pathways that stormwater can follow before entering a waterbody.
Storm grates and catch basins
A catch basin collects stormwater and transports it to local waterways through the storm sewer system of underground pipes. You will see catch basins along most roadways. They are designed to capture garbage and sand/gravel but do not prevent fuels or other spilled or dumped liquids from entering the environment. If someone pours waste oils or dirty water into a catch basin they are essentially pouring it straight into the Bay of Quinte.
Oil and grit separators
In some areas of the city, stormwater flows through oil and grit separators. These underground tanks have multiple chambers that capture and remove oils, grease and sediments resulting in cleaner water downstream.
Stormwater management facility
In other areas of the city, stormwater flows from the storm sewer into a stormwater management facility (ie. stormwater pond). There are two types of ponds:
- Dry ponds which are designed to have enough retention time to allow the stormwater to seep into the ground, and;
- Wet ponds which are designed to slow the flow down to a point where solid materials can settle out before the stormwater is discharged.
Protecting our waterways
Regular maintenance of our storm sewer system is crucial in protecting the quality of our lakes and rivers. This is why we conduct street sweeping and catch basin cleaning to limit the amount of contaminants carried downstream. Our oil and grit separators are inspected every year to determine if cleaning is required and are emptied as needed to help keep these substances out of our waterways.
In recent years, commercial developments in Belleville have made use of bioswales and other Low Impact Development techniques to manage stormwater more naturally. The City has planted low-maintenance flowers and grasses in medians along portions of Pinnacle Street and Dundas Street West to reduce stormwater runoff and beautify our roadways.
What you can do to help
Reduce stormwater pollution
The Bay of Quinte is our primary source of drinking water in Belleville. To protect the bay, you can reduce stormwater pollution by taking these simple actions:
- Never pour anything into a catch basin
- Put pet waste in the garbage where it belongs
- Wash your car at a car-wash connected to the sanitary sewer
- Check your vehicle on a regular basis for fluid leaks
- Minimize the use of lawn fertilizer and pesticides or avoid their use altogether
Restore the natural water cycle
In natural landscapes, stormwater soaks into the ground nourishing plants and replenishing nearby waterways and aquifers. You can help restore this natural cycle on your own property. The options listed below will reduce stormwater runoff and can help to prevent basement flooding and costly repairs to your home's foundation.
Rain gardens |
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Rain gardens are specially constructed gardens located in low areas of a yard where stormwater is collected and then naturally filtered by plants and soil. Interested in building your own rain garden? To learn how, check out Greening Your Grounds - a webinar created by the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan (BQRAP). BQRAP is also offering grants up to $500 for eligible residents under their landowner stewardship program to cover the costs of native plants, soil, compost, gravel, and mulch to establish a functioning rain garden. |
Rainwater harvesting |
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Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting rainwater from a roof or other surface and saving it for later use. At its simplest, rainwater harvesting consists of a rain barrel placed under the downspout of your home to collect rainwater for garden irrigation. To discover more about rainwater harvesting, check out these resources: |
Rain barrels |
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Installing rain barrels on your property is a simple way to capture rainwater on your property. They can be purchased from local hardware stores or through fundraising efforts by local organizations. You can also check out Quinte Conservation's rain barrel workshops. |