The Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990 provides legislation for the construction and management of many of the communal drainage systems in rural Ontario.
The Township is responsible for the management of the drainage systems located within the Huron-Kinloss boundaries. These drainage systems, often known as “municipal drains”, are vital to the community, roads and their surrounding lands. They reduce flooding, improve safety, reduce property damage and provide an outlet for surface and sub-surface waters.
If you own property within a defined watershed, you will be responsible to pay for the ongoing maintenance of the drain. The amount you have to pay for the maintenance is based directly on the amount of land you own.
"So, What's a Municipal Drain"
Tile drainage
The Tile Loan Program is authorized by the Tile Drainage Act and is a partnership between municipalities and the province. Farmers who are planning to install a tile drainage system on their property may apply to their local municipality for a “tile loan”. Once the application is accepted, the farmer arranges to have the work completed by a licenced tile drainage contractor and the municipality then prepares a “debenture” for sale to the province in the amount of the loan or loans. The province then issues a cheque to the municipality who in turn passes it on to the farmer. The municipality collects the loan repayments from the farmer through their property taxes and passes these payments back to the province.
For further details on the Tile Drain Loan Program please visit OMAFRA website