City working to address impacts of heavy rainstorm

Released: August 22, 2014 at 1:28 p.m.

Winnipeg, MB - Due to the effects of yesterday’s storm, some City of Winnipeg facilities and operations have been affected. The storm was centred over downtown Winnipeg and to the southwest area of the city, and was classified in intensity as a one in one hundred-year event. The highest intensity was measured at The University of Winnipeg. Maximum measured precipitation in the rain gauge network was 83.5 millimetres in the Whyte Ridge community. Details on rainfall accumulation throughout the city are available here (revised August 25, 2014).

Service requests as of 11:30 a.m. today, Friday, August 22

  • Plugged catch basins: 100
  • Dislodged manhole covers: 25
  • Clean water in basement: 66
  • Sewer backup (raw sewage): 62
  • High water concerns in retention ponds: 4
  • Flashing traffic signal lights: 23
  • Traffic signal lights completely out (as a result of a power failure): 10
  • Flashing traffic signal lights due to a downed traffic signal pole: 1

All available operations crews were working last night and continue to work today.

There were wide-spread combined sewer overflows (CSOs), as per the system design to help prevent basement flooding. During periods of heavy rainfall, the additional volume in combined sewers can exceed the capacity of the sewer system. During these occasions, combined sewer systems are designed to overflow and discharge the excess directly to the river without reaching the sewage treatment plant.

All sewage/flood pumping stations functioned normally (i.e., no major outages) with a few exceptions requiring staff response at two pumping stations (e.g. setting up temporary pumps).

Several underpasses reported flooding due to either exceeding the system capacity or temporarily plugged catch basins. Crews responded as necessary.

Reports of dislodged manhole covers can occur when there is a sudden rush of water in the sewer, creating excess air pressure in the line. This excess air pressure can sometimes cause manhole covers to lift off. Crews responded to these calls to restore covers as necessary.

There were temporary increases in some of the retention ponds as per design. The ponds will drain as the sewer system settles.

There were temporary rises in the river levels in the city - the Red River rose approximately 0.6 feet and the Assiniboine River rose approximately 1.5 feet.

Plans are underway to respond to weekend rains and river levels.

The following City facilities were affected by yesterday’s storm:

Water and Waste Utility Billing Centre
The heavy rain caused a significant leak in the roof at 185 King Street early last evening, which is the office space for the City’s Utility Billing Centre. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Emergency plans were implemented immediately (e.g., relocating staff to other City offices, ensuring access to technology and systems) and operations are continuing as normal.

Roof leaks in several City buildings (based on reports up to 11:30 a.m.)

  • 185 King Street
  • Approximately 24 community centres
  • 1780 Taylor Avenue (Fire Paramedic Station Number 12)
  • The 7th floor at City Hall, Administration Building

Basement flooding in several City buildings (based on reports up to 11:30 a.m.)

  • 726 Furby Street (Fire Paramedic Station Number 31)
  • 457 Main Street (Confederation Life Building)
  • 280 William Avenue (Winnipeg Police Service Human Resources)
  • 245 Smith Street (Winnipeg Police Service headquarters). Damage is currently being assessed but is relatively minor, and not expected to affect move-in date (beginning in the fall)
  • 421 Osborne Street (Fort Rouge Transit Base). There has not been any noticeable impact to transit service.

For other inquiries about City of Winnipeg operations and services, please contact 311, available 24 hours a day every day by phone at 311, or by email at
. Citizens can also reduce their risk of damage to their home with the information below.

Steps you can take to protect your home

The following measures can greatly reduce the risk of sewer backup and basement flooding:

  • Install a backwater valve and sump pit drainage system
  • Check and maintain your backwater valve and sump pit drainage system regularly
  • Improve drainage around your house so that water flows away from your basement walls and doesn't pool next to the basement walls or basement windows

Homeowners are also reminded about the Basement Flood Protection Subsidy Program. The program was launched by the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg in 2011 to help homeowners protect their basements from flooding caused by overloaded sewers during severe weather (e.g., heavy rain, high river levels).

Property owners are reminded it is illegal to drain sump pump water into the basement floor drain or any other part of the house plumbing system, as it can overtax the sewer system and place residents’ basements and their neighbours’ basements at risk of flooding and damage.

More information on basement flood protection and the Basement Flood Protection Subsidy Program is available on the following web pages:

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