FAQs

The North Strasburg Creek neighbourhood is part of the urban water cycle. Stormwater from your neighbourhood flows into North Strasburg Creek and into the Grand River. Rain and meltwater wash pollutants from roads into local waterways. Heavy rains drain into creeks at high volumes, causing soil erosion.

This work has become more urgent because of climate change. More frequent and more intense storms are expected in the future. Stormwater upgrades will help mitigate the severity of future flooding. We are making similar improvements in locations across Kitchener.

The development of recommended alternatives for each project was completed as part of the City’s Integrated Stormwater Master Plan

We plant a wide variety of native species as we restore creeks. The design team prioritizes native species in the plant selection process. We choose plants that are suitable for creek ecosystems. Where possible, we also include native plants important to local Indigenous peoples.

Reducing the spread of invasive plant species is important to us. During construction, the project team looks for ways to safely remove invasive plant species. 

Actions we take on our individual properties add up to make a big impact on our watershed. Anytime we can slow rain down and soak it up in our yards, there is less stormwater to manage in our pipes and creeks. Naturalized landscaping, trees, rain gardens and rain barrels help us reduce runoff and soak up rain on our own property. 

Reep Green Solutions has partnered with the City of Kitchener to help you plan projects for your yard that will improve watershed health. See how we can help you reduce the flood risk in your neighbourhood. This includes a free landscape consultation in your own yard. Visit reepgreen.ca/rain-smart

When naturalizing a creek, we aim to address issues of flooding, erosion, and water quality. A typical project design would include the use of natural materials such as rocks, logs, and native plants. Where there's room, we also use meandering creek designs, which help in slowing down the water flow. This helps reduce erosion and protects the local habitat. These changes improve creek health and protect it from future weather and flooding events. To see an example of a completed project, check out engagewr.ca/montgomerycreek

This new creek restoration 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

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.

Your information will be kept confidential and the data will only be available in aggregate form. This means that your answers will be grouped with other answers and there will be no way to identify you personally.