STORM WATER POND SAFETY REVIEW

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
The City of Saskatoon has completed a comprehensive review and investigation of
current best practices to better improve safety around storm water retention ponds. The
following recommendations for storm water retention ponds are proposed subject to
Council approval:

Education and Awareness

 Collaborate with school divisions to educate students on storm pond safety, with
attention on schools near Dundonald and Lakeview storm ponds. The Saskatoon
Fire Department will incorporate storm pond and ice safety messages in their new
curriculum for delivery to all schools with ponds in their neighbourhoods.

Signage
 Revise storm pond signage for increased clarity, particularly for younger children
and people with language barriers, by using larger images to communicate dangers
and restrictions for entering the water, swimming, and skating.

Maintenance
 Examine cost-effective opportunities to expand sedimentation control, with an added
focus on storm ponds near schools.

Recreational Use
 Utilize external, professional advice to supplement the City’s internal review of
current policies for ice testing and skating.

Future Planning, Design, and Construction of New Storm Ponds

 Continue current design best practices for edging, drainage, and sediment control.
 Stipulate gentle storm pond slopes and contours for increased safety, including
flattening the maximum side slopes leading to the pond from the current “minimum
5:1/preferred 7:1 slope” to “minimum required 7:1 slope”.
 Unless separated by a barrier or other risk-mitigating factors are in place, storm
water ponds should be located a safe distance from schools.

Barriers
 In new neighbourhoods, utilize roads or residential/commercial developments as
barriers between storm ponds and schools/playgrounds.
 If safety risks cannot be mitigated through location and other design options, assess
fencing as a barrier on a case-by-case basis.
 For Dundonald Park, a partial 1.2 m high wrought-iron fence by the park pathway is
recommended.
STORM WATER POND SAFETY REVIEW

Proposed recommendations will be presented at the following meetings at City Council

Chambers.

Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services Committee

Date: April 16, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Deadlines for letters or requests to speak: Online by April 16, 2018, 8:00 a.m. or
delivered in writing no later than April 13, 2018, 5:00 p.m.

City Council
Date: April 30, 2018
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Deadlines for letters or requests to speak: April 30, 10:00 a.m.

If you would like to submit comments or request to make a presentation at a Committee

or Council meeting, please visit the Saskatoon.ca website for more information or
contact the City Clerk’s Office.

Office of the City Clerk

222 - 3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5
Phone: 306-975-3240

If you have any questions about the Storm Water Pond Safety Review, please contact
Saskatoon Water.

Saskatoon Water
Angela Schmidt
Phone: 306-986-9720
stormwater@saskatoon.ca