Newsletter - 14 August 2026
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
How to Report Drainage Concerns After a Record Wet Summer
This has been an extraordinary summer for rainfall in Ottawa, and I know residents across Ward 21 are seeing the effects firsthand.
July 2026 became the wettest month ever recorded in Ottawa, with roughly 270 mm of rain measured at the Ottawa Airport. That is about three times the normal rainfall for July. The Canada Day storm alone brought 118.4 mm at the airport, while City rain gauges recorded as much as 167 mm in some areas. In the hardest-hit parts of Ottawa, the City determined that the storm was close to or exceeded a 1-in-200-year rainfall event.
With repeated storms and already saturated ground, it is understandable that we are seeing more concerns about standing water, blocked ditches, culverts, roadside drainage and flooding.
My office has received an extremely high volume of drainage and ditching concerns this summer. I understand why residents contact us, and we will always be here to help, but I also want to make sure these concerns are getting to the people who can actually assess them as quickly as possible.
For drainage and ditching concerns, please make 3-1-1 your first point of contact.
When a drainage concern comes into my office, in most cases we are simply taking the information provided by the resident and forwarding it to the City's drainage team. Reporting it through 3-1-1 removes that extra step. It creates a formal service request directly in the City's system and allows the appropriate staff to assess the location, determine responsibility and prioritize work based on the condition and level of risk.
Residents can report concerns including blocked or flooded ditches, damaged ditches, debris and other drainage issues directly through the City's online reporting system:
Submit a ditch maintenance request through the City of Ottawa
For an immediate hazard to people or property, please call 3-1-1 directly.
It is also important to remember that some standing water in a ditch immediately following a major rainfall is normal. Ditches are designed to collect water and allow it to drain gradually. However, if water remains for a significant period of time in an area that would normally drain, residents should submit a service request so City staff can assess the location.
This is not about my office stepping away from drainage concerns. Quite the opposite. I continue to advocate for better ditching and drainage service across Ward 21, and my team can follow up when a service request remains unresolved or when there is a larger issue that requires escalation. But with the unprecedented volume of concerns we have seen this summer, getting your initial request directly into the City's system is the fastest and most effective way to get it in front of the drainage team.
This summer has brought an extraordinary amount of rainfall, creating challenging conditions across Ottawa and placing greater demands on drainage systems throughout the city. I will continue working with City staff to identify areas of concern, support ongoing maintenance and improvements, and advocate for the resources needed to keep rural drainage working effectively for our communities.
Ward Updates
Munster Will Gather to Honour Bob Easy
On Saturday, August 29, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., the community will meet at the Munster Ball Diamond (2886 Munster Road) to dedicate it as the Bob Easy Ball Diamond, a lasting tribute to a man who has dedicated himself to sport in this community. Bob's family, the Munster Leisure Lobball League, and neighbours from across the ward will be there to mark the occasion together.
Bob spent decades building up youth sports in Munster and Richmond. He has long supported the local ball community and the Richmond Royals Hockey Program, giving countless hours so generations of kids had a place to play. He is also a strong supporter of the Richmond Food Bank and of neighbours who fell on hard times. Naming this ball diamond after him gives the community a permanent place to remember what he built.
The renaming was made possible through a grassroots fundraising effort that brought in more than 50 donors and surpassed its goal. That surplus is funding the dedication and a donation to the Richmond Food Bank, a cause close to Bob's heart.
Following the ceremony, everyone is welcome at the Munster Community Centre (58 Dogwood Drive, just behind the ball diamond) for refreshments courtesy of Danby's Roadhouse.
If you're able, come out on August 29 and help the community honour a man who has given so much of himself to it.
Wild Parsnip Update: Round Two
The City has an update on wild parsnip control I want to make sure residents see, since the second round of treatment starts locally in the coming days.
What's happening
In June, the first round of treatment covered 71 parks and hydro corridors with spot application of Gluphosate, and 65 stormwater facilities with Navius Flex. Mapping for round two is now complete, and crews begin work on August 10, moving west to east over roughly a week. Citywide, 185 parks, hydro corridors, and stormwater facilities are scheduled for treatment this round.
Locations in Ward 21
Twenty sites in our ward are on the list:
Blue Rock Park, 1514 Blue Rock Avenue
Bob Slack Park, 91 Fowler Street South
Cobe Parkette, 1490 Cobe Terrace
Richmond Lions Community Park, 3302 Huntley Road
Sarah McCarthy Park, 240 Cedarstone Street
Richmond Dog Park Pathway, 144 Christopher Hamilton Street
Bridgeport Avenue Stormwater Facility (Mahogany Creek), 546 Bridgeport Avenue
Kirkham Dry Pond Stormwater Facility, 744 Kirkham Crescent
Lockmaster Stormwater Facility, 440 Lockmaster Crescent
Mahogany Stormwater Facility, 812 Skysail Road
Parade Drive Stormwater Facility, 750 Parade Drive
Stormwater Facility (Mahogany Creek), 1160 Potter Drive
Christopher Hamilton to King Street North (pathway)
Equitation Circle
Fernbank
Fortune Street Pathway
Kelly Marie Drive
Kirkham Crescent
Manotick Main Street
McManus to Carrison Pathway
What residents should expect
Only spots with moderate to high infestation and real risk to public safety get spot-sprayed with Glyphosate, as required under Ontario's Pesticides Act. Lower-level infestations are mowed or pulled by hand instead. Where spraying happens, you'll see wilting or discolouration within two to four days, with the full effect taking up to 20 days. Contractors post signage before spraying and take it down once treatment wraps up.
In stormwater facilities and hydro corridors, crews use Navius Flex instead of Glyphosate. That herbicide works faster, with early effects visible within hours and full effect over several weeks. You'll see crews of eight working at these sites, equipped with backpack sprayers.
As for safety, Health Canada re-evaluated glyphosate in 2017 and found no significant risk to human health or the environment when used as directed. Ontario's Pesticides Act bans many herbicides outright but permits glyphosate-based products specifically for controlling plants like wild parsnip, which is toxic to the touch.
Watson’s Mill Christmas Craft Market: Vendor Applications Open
Watson's Mill is preparing for its annual Christmas Craft Market, and if you make and sell your own products, they want to hear from you.
This year's market runs across three weekends: November 21-22, November 28-29, and December 5-6, at Watson's Mill and Dickinson House in Manotick. It's one of the most loved seasonal traditions in our area, bringing local artisan and holiday shoppers together in a historic setting.
If you're an artisan, maker, crafter, or small business owner, this is a chance to showcase your work during the busiest shopping weeks of the year and connect with new customers. Applications are now open, though submitting one doesn't guarantee a spot. Selected vendors will hear back with details on booth placement, fees, and setup.
Out & About
On Saturday, August 8th, it was an honour to stop by the Richmond Legion to celebrate an incredible milestone with Garry Dean as he turned 90!
I was thrilled to present Garry with an official birthday certificate from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to mark the occasion. Wishing Garry a fantastic 90th year ahead, filled with health, happiness, and continued celebration with family and friends.
What an incredible turnout at the Richmond Community BBQ on Saturday, August 8th, in memory of Lion Gerry Moore! My team and I had a fantastic time connecting with residents and local firefighters at the Legacy Pavilion.
Thank you to the Richmond & District Lions Club and all our local sponsors for putting on such a successful event!
Construction Updates
Road Resurfacing & Construction Impacts
A number of resurfacing, maintenance, and preservation projects are scheduled across Ward 21 in the coming months. Some work will include nighttime construction between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., which may result in temporary noise impacts for nearby residents.
We will continue to share updates as these projects progress and appreciate your patience during this work to improve our roads.
Bridge Rehabilitation
Rideau Valley Drive South from Roger Stevens Drive to Lockhead Road East will be closed starting on Monday, June 29th, until late September for work to rehabilitate a bridge in the south end of Kars Village
Temporary access for pedestrians and cyclists will remain during construction on the bridge
Third Line Road South from Prince of Wales Drive to Roger Stevens Drive will be closed from Monday, June 29th until mid-November for work to rehabilitate the Stevens Creek Bridge northwest of North Gower Village
Culvert Renewals
August
2nd Line Road South (0.10 km north of Roger Stevens Dr)
Starting on August 4th, with a road closure required for approximately 2 weeks
Hilltop Drive (0.09 km north of West Ave)
Work scheduled from August 4th to 10th. Road closure from Weds, Aug 5th to Fri, Aug 7th; local traffic access will be maintained.
Whitewood Avenue (0.01 km north of Beaverwood Rd)
Work scheduled from August 4th to 10th. Road closure from Thurs, Aug 6th to Tues, Aug 11th; local traffic access will be maintained.
Whitewood Avenue (0.01 km west of Doctor Leach Dr)
Work scheduled from August 4th to 10th. Full road closure with local traffic access maintained.
Old Richmond Road (0.01 km north of Khymer Crt)
Work scheduled from August 10th to 14th. One traffic lane will be maintained at all times.
Stratton Drive (0.01 km west of Third Line Rd)
Starting on August 13th, with a road closure required for approximately 1 week
Greenbank Road (0.68 km north of Prince of Wales Dr)
Work scheduled from August 13th to 17th. Full road closure with local traffic access maintained.
Century Road East (1.08 km east of First Line Rd)
Work scheduled from August 17th to 21st. Full road closure with local traffic access maintained.
Roger Stevens Drive (0.14 km west of McKenna Rd)
Work scheduled to start week of August 24th.
Fourth Line Road (0.15 north of Dilworth Rd)
Work scheduled from August 31st to September 18th. Full road closure with local traffic access maintained.
Second Line Road (0.10 km north of Roger Stevens Dr)
Work scheduled to start week of September 22nd.
Stratton Drive (0.01 km west of Third Line Rd)
Work scheduled to start week of October 1st.
Coldstream Drive
Work scheduled to start week of October 5th.
Road Renewal Projects
Bankfield Road, from Kilreen Lane to 370 metres west of Prince of Wales Drive
Work completed
Black’s Side Road, from Fernbank Road to Ridingview Crescent
Work expected to start the week of August 31st
Brophy Drive, from Eagleson Road to Fourth Line Road
Work expected to start the week of August 4th
Community Way, from Fourth Line Road to Relin Way
Work completed
Doctor Leach Drive from Beaverwood Road to Potter Drive
Work expected to start the week of August 31st
Fallowfield Road, gravel road upgrade to asphalt hard surface, from McCaffrey Trail to Dwyer Hill Road
Work is ongoing. Milling and granular work has been completed.
Fallowfield Road, from Munster Road to Dwyer Hill Road
Work ongoing.
Farmstead Ridge, crack sealing, from Church Street to Church Street
Work completed
Fernbank Road, from Jinkinson Road to Munster Road
Work expected to start the week of September 8th
Fourth Line Road, from Lockhead Road West to Shellstar Drive
Top lift asphalt paving ongoing.
Harbison Road, gravel road upgrade to hard asphalt surface, from Proven Line Road to McCordick Road
Work is ongoing. Milling and granular work has been completed.
Jinkinson Road, from Fernbank Road to 2.7 kilometres north of Fernbank Road
Work expected to start the week of August 24th
McBean Street, from Perth Street to Strachan Street
Phelan Road West, slurry seal, from Prince of Wales Drive to Ormond Road
Work expected to begin mid- to late-August.
Rideau Valley Drive South, crack sealing, Dilworth Road to Roger Stevens Drive
Work completed
Shea Road, crack sealing, from Hemphill Street to Fernbank Road
Other Construction Projects
➔ Hydro Work Supporting Dwyer Hill Training Facility Expansion
Hydro Ottawa is working on major electrical upgrades in Ward 21 to support the long-term expansion of the Department of National Defence’s Dwyer Hill Training Centre, a project scheduled to continue through 2034.
Phase 1: Hydro Pole and Equipment Installation on Dwyer Hill Road
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Phase 1 has been completed.
Phase 2: Transformer Installation and Infrastructure Upgrade on Garvin Road
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Phase 2 has been completed.
➔ Pole Installation on Franktown Road
Hydro Ottawa continues to install new hydro poles and equipment along Franktown Road. This work is being carried out by Bradley Kelly Construction Ltd. and is ongoing.
For a full list of current and upcoming road work in Ward 21, visit the Ward 21 website. Major construction notices will be shared in future newsletters and community updates.
To explore citywide construction projects, use the City of Ottawa Interactive Construction Map.
Community Events
You can check out the Ward 21 website at any time to see an up-to-date list of upcoming events.
In case you missed this week’s event newsletter, click here: Upcoming Community Events in Ward 21!
Stay in touch!
I want to hear from you! Stay connected and keep informed by:
📱 Following us on social media – Click the icons below to stay updated.
🌐 Visiting our website: www.ward21.ca
📧 Emailing your concerns: ward21@ottawa.ca
📞 Calling our office: 613-580-2491
📅 Want to meet with Councillor Brown at his North Gower office? Email ward21@ottawa.ca to book an appointment.
Looking forward to connecting with you!