Overview

Drainage is an essential service across Ontario for agriculture, roads, residential, commercial and industrial properties in both urban and rural settings.

Rural and agricultural drainage balances the needs of farmers and property owners with environmental and societal interests. It consists of a combination of private and communal drainage systems that eventually outlet into natural watercourses.

Guides

Types of drains

  • Municipal drains

    Learn about drains that are constructed, owned and maintained by the local municipality.

  • Mutual agreement drains

    Learn about drains that are constructed, owned and maintained through an agreement between two or more property owners.

  • Award drains

    Learn about drains created under the Ditches and Water Courses Act for nearly a century before the Act was repealed in 1963.

Municipal drains

Understanding drainage assessments

Learn about the components of a drainage assessment.

Minor improvement projects under the Drainage Act, 1990

Learn when it is necessary to make improvements to the drain because of changes in land use, agricultural practices and technology.

Updating an engineer’s report due to unforeseen circumstances during construction

Learn how to update an engineer’s report due to unforeseen circumstances during drainage construction.

Drainage Act appeals

Learn about who a landowner may appeal to when a drainage works is being proposed or improved under the Drainage Act, 1990.

Drainage Act and Conservation Authorities Act protocol for drain maintenance and repair

Learn how to meet the requirements of the Drainage Act, 1990 and the Conservation Authorities Act, 1990.

Drainage Act and Conservation Authorities Act protocol

Learn about appropriate practices and permit requirements for municipal drain maintenance and repair activities.

Drainage programs

Drainage disputes

Learn how common law applies to drainage and how to address disputes with neighbours.

Common law drainage problems between rural neighbours

Learn about common law drainage problems between rural neighbours and how to avoid legal action.

Drainage conflicts with your neighbour

Learn what laws apply and options to address drainage situations with neighbours.

Drainage conflict: natural watercourses

Learn about natural watercourses and the responsibilities of a riparian landowner.

Private drainage systems and roadside ditches

Learn how to manage private drainage systems that run along roadside ditches.

Drainage conflict: surface water

Learn about the flow of surface water and the right of drainage.

Key contacts

Get in touch with the organizations and people involved in agricultural and rural drainage.

Ministry staff

Browse a contact list of drainage staff at the Ontario government.

Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario

Association of professional contractors, drainage pipe and equipment suppliers, engineers and municipal drainage superintendents.

Drainage Superintendent Associations of Ontario

Association for drainage superintendents to exchange ideas and standardize drainage maintenance and activities in Ontario.

Contractors, superintendents and engineers

Use the map to find a drainage expert near you.

Land Drainage Committee

Affiliated with the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers to improve the practice of drainage engineering.

AgMaps

Use AgMaps, an interactive mapping website to determine the location of agricultural tile drainage systems and drains constructed under the Drainage Act.

Forms

Browse a list of forms related to tile drainage and municipal drains for municipalities, contractors and the public.

Legislation

Read the acts and regulations related to drainage.

Drainage Act

Tile Drainage Act

Agricultural Tile Installation Act