Keeping our community clean

Stormwater pond maintenance starts in May

City-wide spring maintenance is underway – and that will soon include work at more than 150 stormwater management ponds in Vaughan! From May to October, City of Vaughan staff complete three rounds of litter cleanup and grass cutting to ensure we can access each pond for operational purposes. 

As we complete the work, you may notice some greenery in and around the ponds is left untouched. Here’s why:

Unlike natural bodies of water, stormwater ponds are designed and built to collect rainfall and other runoff. The vegetation growing around them, such as long grass, shrubs and trees, is integral to how the ponds function because they:

• act as safety barriers for pedestrians.

• discourage geese from landing in ponds. 

• improve water quality.

• filter out coarse sediments and pollutants from the water.

• stabilize the ground when water levels fluctuate.

Enjoy stormwater ponds from a safe distance

While vegetation has its place in and around stormwater ponds, people do not! These ponds may look safe for fishing, swimming or playing around, but they are not made for recreational use. Keep a safe distance away. The ponds are designed to temporarily hold untreated water before releasing it slowly back into the environment at a controlled rate. This process means water constantly flows in and out of the ponds, so water levels are always changing, making any activity in or around them unsafe. 

To learn more about the City’s stormwater ponds, visit vaughan.ca/stormwater. 

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