Drainage, Flooding and Storm Sewers

Residents reminded to please use caution around creeks and be prepared during 2025 freshet

With the 2025 freshet underway, public works and emergency crews remain ready and responsive and remind residents and visitors to be cautious around creeks and waterways and property owners to be prepared.

Our Parks and Public Works Departments have set up seasonal self-serve sandbag stations for private property owners who live near watercourses to help them be prepared for the freshet:

Hitchner Road between Old Boucherie Road and Hoffman Road
Capri Road near Bartley Road/East Boundary Road
Smith Creek Road at Copper Ridge Drive

Read the full April 8, 2025 public service announcement.

For flood emergencies, call 9-1-1.

For emergency updates, in the event of widespread flooding and recovery efforts, please visit cordemergency.ca.

For urgent, non-life threatening drainage and flooding issues, such as burst pipes, clogged storm sewers, damaged hydrants, sewer backups, and water flowing onto or off your property, please call:

778-797-2225, during business hours (7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays)
778-797-1000, dial Option 2, after hours

Building near creeks, floodplains and lakeshore

Please contact the Development Services Division to determine the guidelines for creekside, floodplain and foreshore construction and, if eligible, to begin the application process. Call 778-797-8830 or email us.

Culverts and drainage ditches

Ensure that culverts around your home are trimmed and clear of debris, ice and snow at all times and that no chemicals are dumped into the system. Under Section 5.4 of the Good Neighbour Bylaw, residents are required to maintain culverts and drainage ditches. For all other non-emergency culvert and drainage requests, contact the Roads Department by calling 778-797-2225 or email us.

Disaster Financial Assistance Program

Disaster Financial Assistance is available in some cases for uninsured losses and is provided through the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services.

Flood mitigation, recovery and repairs

Never work in creeks and streams without the proper permits. Please contact our Development Services Division for information on how to proceed with flood works. Email us or call 778-797-8830.

Sandbags

Our Parks and Public Works Departments have set up seasonal self-serve sandbag stations for private property owners who live near watercourses to help them be prepared for the freshet:

Hitchner Road between Old Boucherie Road and Hoffman Road
Capri Road near Bartley Road/East Boundary Road
Smith Creek Road at Copper Ridge Drive

Please bring your own shovel and gloves.

For more seasonal information, go to westkelownacity.ca/news.
For more information on being prepared, including recommended methods for sandbag diking, visit PreparedBC.ca.

Storm drains: proper protection and use

Remember, the system ultimately feeds into Okanagan Lake. Protect our environment by:

Never depositing trash or pouring hazardous materials such as chemicals, cleaners, fuel, herbicides, oil, paints, pesticides or solvents into storm drains.
Avoiding use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides around curbs and drains and cleaning up fertilizer if it falls into drainage areas.

Peak flows also need to be maintained within the system to ensure water conveyance. Keep ditches and storm drainage systems clear by:

Not disposing of garden waste or garbage, grass clippings, branches, leaves, mulch, coniferous cones and needles, sod, soil or other materials in the ditches and drains as this will minimize the storage capacity of the culvert and create overflow during spring snow melt or storms.