Downspout surveys

A downspout is a vertical pipe on the outside of your home that carries rainwater from the roof to the ground. Some downspouts drain directly to your lawn, while others go directly into the ground, where they may drain water into the sanitary sewer system.

Rainwater entering the sanitary sewer system from downspouts during heavy storms can add extra water to the system and increase the risk of basement flooding.

Peel Region’s goal is to find these downspouts and disconnect them to prevent and reduce the chances of flooding.

The first step is a survey to check whether the water in a downspout is draining into the sewer system.

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Surveys currently underway

Open the interactive map to check where downspout surveys are happening near you.

Enter your address in the search bar to check if your home is in a survey area and find out when the work will take place.

If your address is in a highlighted area, tap it to access more details about the work.

The survey dates show when we plan to do the work. While we’ll try to finish the surveys during the listed dates, the schedule might change by one or 2 days. Changes can happen because of weather, work needs, or crew availability.

Surveying in your neighbourhood

You don’t need to prepare or be at home when the downspout survey is happening. You don’t need to take any action.

Schedule and timing

Crews may work in your area for up to 2 weeks. The survey on your street usually takes about 30 minutes. Use the interactive map to check daily updates on where surveys are happening.

Property access is not needed

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Peel Region and its contractor, Infrastructure Intelligence Services Inc (I2S), complete downspout surveys.

Peel employees and its contractors:

• Do not need to enter your house.
• Will not ask to enter your house.
• Will be wearing company-branded, high-visibility clothing.
• Will have Peel Region identification badges.
• Will provide identification and a business card for follow-up, if asked.

The water service box is a small, round, metal valve outside on the property line between your home or business and the road.

The municipal right-of-way includes the street and the municipal-owned land between the street and the water service box.

Survey staff will work from this city-owned area and may briefly look at downspouts on the outside your home.

Information collected

Technicians will mainly locate, check, and take pictures of downspouts from the sidewalk. They will not enter your yard or home.

Smoke testing in your area

Smoke testing is a quick and safe way to find where things connect to the sanitary sewer, like a home’s downspouts.

You may also receive a notice about Sanitary sewer smoke testing.

This work is completed in support of Peel’s Downspout Disconnection Program.

Contact us

For more details, call the Region of Peel at 905-791-7800, ext. 4409.