Local business helps clear catch basins ahead of heavy rainfall in Ottawa

The owner of a snow removal company is lending a helping hand to city crews who are racing to clear storm drains covered by snow. CTV’s Kimberley Fowler reports

An owner of a local business is helping city crews to clear streets and catch basins ahead of the expected heavy rainfall in the capital.

“Like they say, it takes the village,” said Joel Goyette, owner of snow removal company, Snow-Care Works in Orleans.

When Goyette is not removing snow from residential driveways, the head of the family-owned company is lending a helping hand to the city, one grate at a time.

“Some areas the storm drains are covered by five feet into the road by four feet, five-feet high. So how are homeowners supposed to help with that?,” Goyette added.

Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for Ottawa, calling for 15 to 25 millimetres of rain on Wednesday heading into Thursday.

After the record snowfall across the region starts to melt, city crews are rushing to clear its catch basins of ice and debris to prevent ponding and flooding on roads.

“I bought these new blowers, these are not the types of blowers that we use to service our clients. We bought them to contribute to the community in clearing fire hydrants, catch basins and stuff like that,” said Goyette as he points to one of three new tractors.

“We’ve already been doing several of the rinks, we’ve been doing fire hydrants for years, but now that we have specialized equipment.”

Snow-Care Works is clearing any catch basin they can free of charge.

“Anytime we’re not (clearing) snow, I’ll be on the machine,” added Goyette. “If I can, I will. That’s just my attitude. The more we grow, the more we’re given back, the more we’re able to invest in more equipment, and help even more into the community.”

Teams of two volunteer their time to help clear catch snow and ice from basins and from around fire hydrants.

“Once we clear all that snow from on top of (the grate), there’s thick ice on top of it that needs to be broken up,” explained Goyette. “So, while he’s breaking that up, I’m off to the next (grate) opening another one. It makes the job so a lot quicker.”

Bryden Denyes, City of Ottawa roads manager says, “any areas where we haven’t completed snow removal, we’re going to be looking at opening up catch basins because we are expecting to see water ponding on roadways between the rain and the warmer temperature and melting snow.”

The city is out clearing as many catch basins as possible, before the heavy rain starts.

“We don’t want to have water ponding on (roads and sidewalks) because it does cause a hazard and it creates accessibility issues,” said Denyes.

The City of Ottawa has over 100,000 catch basins providing drainage to roadways and greenspaces, and it says it is always grateful when residents are able to step-up to help clear them of snow in the wintertime.

“We always appreciate the support of our residents if they are able to clear any catch basins near their homes. That is greatly appreciated,” said Denyes.