FAQs

In 2016, the City of Kitchener created a Stormwater Master Plan. Through this plan, we learned that 75% of the city has no stormwater treatment or flood controls. The plan identified 12 potential places for new stormwater facilities, including Meadowlane Park. This park was the only suitable place for such a facility in this area of Kitchener. Through the master plan we looked for locations that fit these criteria:

• Larger than 1 hectare
• On publicly owned land
• A nearby storm sewer diameter is bigger than 450 millimetres
• The catchment area is large and doesn't receive water-quality treatment
• The site is not too steep
• The site does not have significant treed areas or wetlands
• Meet Kitchener's water quality criteria

Underground stormwater facilities store water in an underground tank system. Stormwater enters the systems where sediment and debris are captured before being released back to nearby creeks. In some cases, water may be allowed to infiltrate into the ground where possible. Underground stormwater facilities are generally not visible from the surface. 

We will consult with the community to help determine how the ground surface will be restored. Typically surfaces are restored to their original condition.

Some of you asked what the stormwater storage facility will look like. It is too early in our process to know. But here is one example of underground stormwater storage to give you an idea. Other materials and structures can achieve the same goals.

We have yet to confirm location within the park, size and design details. We will develop these details through the design process. We'll share design proposals with the public for review and comments at various stages. Plans may change considerably throughout the design process.  

The facility will not make ongoing noise once installed. Maintenance with heavy equipment may occur every few years. We can confirm the maintenance schedule when we complete the stormwater facility designs.  

In Fall 2022 we conducted drilling at the greenway to assess the groundwater table and the soil conditions on site. Stormwater facility design will take into account current condition information. The stormwater facility will not negatively impact groundwater levels.

We will replace the existing trail network with a paved three-meter-wide asphalt trail. This is part of the City’s commitment to making multi-use trails comfortable for all ages and abilities. We will upgrade all trail entrances. We will add line painting, permanent and removable bollards, and signage.

The development of recommended alternatives for each project was completed as part of the City’s Integrated Stormwater Master Plan. That report is available on Kitchener’s website.

The underground stormwater facility will not make noise once installed. It will likely need to be maintained using heavy equipment every few years. We can't confirm the maintenance schedule until the designs are finalized.

This new stormwater facility will not affect your property taxes. Kitchener Utilities collects stormwater fees based on the size and type of properties. Residential properties pay a flat fee that funds stormwater management across the city. 

Stormwater fees are used to fund many programs. They help us monitor infrastructure, create our stormwater master plan, and take on new projects.

Utility rates can change yearly, and these changes are pre-planned. More information about rates can be found on our website: Stormwater utility - City of Kitchener

In early August 2022, we sent postcards to people living next to the trail network and placed signs within the greenway. This was to inform trail users and immediate neighbours of this project early on. As we start the design process, we will inform the broader neighbourhood. We will mail invitations to a public meeting as the project progresses. Please subscribe to this Engage page to receive project updates.

We advertise engagement opportunities in a wide variety of ways depending on the project or initiative, using approaches that are appropriate and accessible for the residents most affected by the issue. Some projects, like construction or development projects, also have specific requirements they must follow (example: sending letters to affected residents). 

Here are some ways to stay informed about engagement opportunities:

• Register for a free Engage Kitchener account to get notifications of new opportunities on that site 
• If you have a free My Kitchener account, add the “Engagement opportunities” widget to get those same notifications 
• Subscribe to the public consultations newsfeed and the calendar on the City's website to get notifications about in-person or virtual public meetings

We are committed to inclusive and equitable community engagement.  Our focus is on eliminating barriers from the participation process, ensuring those who are most affected are actively included, measuring our progress through demographic data collection, and committing to ongoing relationship-building and engagement.  We use a wide variety of approaches for engaging the broader community, selecting techniques based on the specifics of the issue or project at hand. For more information, please read our Community Engagement Policy.