By: Victoria Kramkowski, Stormwater Charge Program Coordinator, City of Mississauga
Many residents of Mississauga have been affected by flooding or know someone who has. The City of Mississauga is doing its part by upgrading and improving the storm sewers, ditches, stormwater ponds, creeks and other components that form our stormwater system. However, there are changes, some of them very small, which can be made by property owners to also reduce their risk of flooding. Some of these changes – such as downspout disconnections, rain barrels, rain gardens, improved grading and soakaway pits – can even have multiple benefits for a home, such as improved curb appeal and lower water bills when irrigating lawns and gardens.
As a result, the City of Mississauga is launching a Stormwater Home Visit Pilot Program, beginning in May 2017, in order to give site-specific guidance to interested homeowners on how they can better manage stormwater on their property. By request of the property owner, a qualified professional will conduct a home visit lasting between 45 minutes and one hour. During the home visit, they will identify potential flood risks for your home and discuss opportunities to reduce these risks and implement other stormwater management best practices on your property that complement your priorities for your home. Participants can also receive a free rain barrel for their participation and will be provided with a follow-up report that summarizes the home visit recommendations and provides resources to help homeowners put these recommendations into action.
Participation in the Stormwater Home Visit Program is FREE. The pilot program is limited to 100 homes in Mississauga and registration will begin in Spring 2017. If you wish to be notified as soon as registration is launched for the Stormwater Home Visit Program, please email your name, address and contact information to stormwater@mississauga.ca or call 311 (or 905-615-4311 outside of City of Mississauga limits) and ask to be added to the Stormwater Home Visit Program notification list. Being added to the notification list does not register you for a home visit or commit you to having one, but it will ensure that staff will send you an email as soon as registration for the program is open. Questions about the Stormwater Home Visit Program can also be directed to stormwater@mississauga.ca.
