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Drainage on Private Property Policy - All Departments
1
MUNICIPALITY OF RHINELAND
POLICY NO. P-2026-02
ADOPTED BY: Resolution No. 30/26
Last Updated: NEW
DATE: January 28, 2026
Page: 1 of 3
TITLE: Drainage on Private Property
Policy
Department: All
PURPOSE: To establish clear guidelines for landowners seeking drainage
improvements on private property and to outline the Municipality's role in
surveying, preparing applications, and assisting with drainage works where
appropriate. This policy complies with provincial regulations.
SCOPE: This policy applies to all private landowners within the Municipality of
Rhineland requesting drainage alterations, cleanouts, or construction of new
drains.
I. Landowner Responsibilities
a. Submit a written request for drainage work.
b. Provide property access for municipal staff and equipment.
c. Sign all required provincial or municipal documents.
d. Cover any costs not provided by the Municipality.
e. Unlicensed drainage work is not permitted.
f. Obtain written permission from all affected landowners if the drain
crosses multiple properties. All affected landowners must consent to the
proposed work and provide the Municipality with authority to complete
required surveying and access to their properties.
II. Municipal Responsibilities
a. Conduct site/drain assessment through Public Works.
b. Complete surveying of the full drain alignment, not just the requested
portion.
c. Assist the landowner in preparing and submitting provincial drainage
license applications.
d. Complete drainage cleanouts once approved by the Public Works
Director, subject to equipment availability, scheduling and an expense
agreement.
Drainage on Private Property Policy - All Departments
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e. Maintain records of surveys, approvals, and completed work. These will
be shared by the Municipality with the landowner.
f. Invite all involved and impacted landowners to a meeting before work
proceeds to review assessment, survey, projected costs, timeline and
discuss any concerns.
g. Operational drainage decisions are final.
III. Conditions for Municipal Assistance
Municipal assistance/approval will be evaluated using the following conditions:
a. Staff/equipment availability.
b. Agreement on how costs will be shared for the project.
c. The request is deemed a municipal drainage priority.
d. Landowners consent including the properties both downstream and upstream
of the requested drainage work.
e. Provincial license approval.
f. Scheduling: No specific timelines are guaranteed; work will be completed as
resources allow.
IV. Role of Council
Council is not involved in operational decisions regarding individual drain
projects. Their role is to provide overall policy direction.
V. Unauthorized Drainage
The Municipality will not complete drainage work without the required
licensing, as doing so may result in penalties under the Water Rights Act and
may require site restoration, except where unforeseen circumstances exist and
a State of Local Emergency has been declared in accordance with legislation.
VI. Liability
The Municipality is not responsible for damages that may occur during
drainage work on private property or the downstream drainage impact to
neighbouring property owners. The property owner is responsible for all
drainage licenses that are in their name.
VII. Cost Responsibilities
a. Within Municipal Right-of-Way:
The Municipality covers replacement and repair costs for work
completed inside the municipal right-of-way.
For low-level crossings, the Municipality is responsible for
installation and associated costs.
Drainage on Private Property Policy - All Departments
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b. On Private Land:
The landowner and Municipality will need to reach an agreement
for all costs when work occurs outside the municipal right-of-way
before starting on the project.
VIII. Revision
This policy will be reviewed every 3 years or as needed.