Water Management

Best Practices for Owners Road Maintenance and Water Management

Goal: Manage the flow of water from a property into the ditches or cunetas on the side of the road. Eliminate water flowing onto the public roads and prevent road deterioration.

Best Practices

1) Clear vegetation on both sides of the ditch or cuneta for the entire length of the frontage of the property resulting in improved water flow into the ditch or cuneta.

2) Clear the ditch or cuneta of all debris that affects the unimpeded flow of water. Ongoing attention helps maintain the quality of the road.

3) Clear the entrance, exit and length of pipe or cuneta that has been installed under or at the end of the driveway. When debris clogs these areas, water will overflow onto the road and deterioration will occur.

4) An owner’s driveway should end at the side of the public road and not extend onto any portion of the public road.

5) Water flow from the driveway should be managed so that no water flows off the driveway directly onto the public road.

6) The best solution is to build a concrete cuneta, which is connected to the existing ditch or cuneta, at the end of the driveway and cover it with a metal grate. Shape the driveway so that water flows into this cuneta and not onto the road.

7) Water flow from a driveway may also be managed by building an extension of the ditch or cuneta using pre-fabricated pipes. When using this option, the driveway should be shaped so that water flows off the sides of the driveway into ditches or cunetas which then empty into the roadside ditches or cunetas.

Ideas to consider

1) If there is an empty lot across the street, consider maintaining the ditch or cuneta in front of that property.

2) Get together with your neighbors and share the cost of labour to maintain the ditches and cunetas

3) Contact any member of the Board of Directors if you need assistance with water management.