Town Adopts New Policy on Stormwater Management Ponds

Oakville, December 7, 2006 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Town of Oakville has adopted a new policy regarding stormwater management ponds (SWMPs) in order to protect the safety of the public and keep the ponds functioning properly.  The new policy prohibits recreational use of the ponds, including swimming, wading, skating, boating or fishing, as well as dumping of materials or introduction of plants or fish to the area.  New signs are being posted at the access points to the ponds to inform users of the rules.

SWMPs are designed to collect runoff from the local storm sewer system following either a rainfall or snowmelt event, or activities such as watering lawns and washing cars.  The ponds are built to temporarily hold this water, provide treatment to remove the pollutants, and then slowly release it back to our waterways.   

Although the surface of the pond may freeze during the winter, stormwater continues to flow into the SWMP due to snowfall, snowmelt, road clearing and salting operations. A number of factors may cause a sudden and unforeseen rise in the water level, resulting in highly unsafe conditions.  Runoff entering the pond throughout winter typically contains concentrations of salt or warmed water, which can thin ice surfaces rapidly. The ice surface may not be used safely when there may be such rapid, unpredictable changes in ice conditions.

"In the last few years, we have become increasingly concerned about the use of these ponds for skating," said Chris Mark, Director, Parks and Open Space.  "We determined that for the safety of the public, and our maintenance workers, it was necessary to discontinue all recreational uses of the ponds."

In the past, ponds at Bayshire and Memorial Park were maintained for skating.  Town staff cleared snow, measured the ice depth, and updated signage at the ponds to indicate if they were "safe" or "unsafe" for users.  This program was weather dependent and was not carried out during the past two winter seasons due to warmer temperatures and unsafe ice conditions.  As part of the new policy, staff will no longer be maintaining the ponds for this purpose, and skating will no longer be permitted. 
  
Weather permitting, the Town continues to offer public skating venues at Bronte Marsh and Sixteen Mile Creek, as well as five arenas and a number of neighbourhood rinks.  For a full list of locations, please refer to our Arenas/Ice Rinks page.

Residents are encouraged to educate their children about safety around SWMPs and other bodies of water.  More information about the function and maintenance of SWMPs is also available on our Stormwater Management page. 

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For more information:
Chris Mark 
Director, Parks and Open Space
Town of Oakville
Tel: 905-845-6601, ext. 3111
Email: cmark@oakville.ca 

or

Kristina Laretei
Water Resources Engineer, Engineering & Construction
Town of Oakville
Tel: 905-845-6601 ext. 3889
Email: klaretei@oakville.ca

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