Sharing today’s storm response update from Councillor Curry:
Hello Kanata North,
I wanted to follow up with residents on the storm response update I shared on Thursday. Since the storm, we have been in regular communication with City staff to ensure we can continue providing residents with the latest information and updates. Further down in this newsletter, I have included the latest update from City staff on the City’s response and available resources.
If you experienced flooding in your basement, please report it to the City of Ottawa by calling 3-1-1 or by using the City’s Report basement flooding online form. We understand that call volumes remain high, so there may be delays in reaching an operator. If possible, we encourage residents to submit their report online. If you experience any issues reporting your flooding through either method, please don’t hesitate to contact our office and we will do our best to assist you.
Reporting basement flooding is extremely important. These reports help the City track the extent of flood damage, monitor how water moved through affected neighbourhoods, and identify areas where additional garbage collection and other recovery efforts may be required. Our Kanata North office is also tracking where the flooding has happened, so please let us know if you have experienced flooding in your basement.
Residents can also stay up to date through the Heavy Rainfall page on Ottawa.ca that is updated with the latest waste collection information.
We have received the following information that was sent to us late last night from City staff to share with residents:
To support residents affected by flooding from the July 1 storm, the City is implementing temporary measures to manage additional storm-related waste. Residents with flood-damaged household contents, spoiled food resulting from extended power outages and eligible flood-related construction and demolition materials may place these materials at the curb on their regular collection day.
Storm-Related Waste Collection
Residents should place eligible storm-related waste at the curb on their regularly scheduled collection day and ensure materials are properly packaged and meet applicable size and weight requirements.
Regular collection service will continue, and, at a minimum, their regular three-item will be collected. Depending on resources, storm-related materials will either be collected during regular weekly garbage pickup or as a separate storm-dedicated collection. As a result, residents are asked to leave all waste at the curb and to not make additional service requests if waste is left behind, as it will be collected at a later date.
Eligible Storm-Related Materials
Residents affected by flooding may dispose of eligible storm-related waste through the City’s temporary accommodation measures. Eligible materials include:
- Flood-damaged household contents and furnishings
- Household garbage generated through flood clean-up activities
- Spoiled food and organic material resulting from extended power outages
- Up to two (2) garbage cans of flood-damage construction and demolition materials. Materials must comply with collection guidelines and be:
- Placed in a container with a maximum capacity of 140 litres
- Weigh less than 15 kg (33 lb) per container
- Have a removable lid
- Residents requiring the disposing of flood-damaged construction above two (2) garbage can limit should work with their insurance provider and/or contractor regarding disposal options.
Residents can set out unlimited leaf and yard waste for collection in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers labelled “Leaf and Yard Waste.” Branches and brush must be bundled using biodegradable twine or string and measure no more than 1.2 metres (4 feet) long and 60 centimetres (2 feet) wide, with individual branches less than 7 centimetres (3 inches) in diameter. Logs, stumps, soil, rocks, sod and oversized branches will not be collected. Residents who are unsure how to dispose of storm debris can use the Waste Explorer at Ottawa.ca/WasteExplorer
Other Disposal Options
Residents who would prefer not to wait for collection may also bring materials directly to the Trail Waste Facility Landfill. Rates to dispose of waste are outlined on Ottawa.ca (note: a $43 minimum flat fee is applied to household garbage under 250kg). To accommodate the anticipated increased demand following the storm, the Trail Waste Facility Landfill will be open on additional Saturdays over the coming weeks. Residents are encouraged to check Ottawa.ca for hours of operation before visiting.
Residents requiring disposal of flood-damaged construction and demolition materials beyond the temporary two-garbage-can curbside limit may also bring these materials to the Trail Waste Facility Landfill for disposal.
Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste
Household hazardous waste is not accepted through any curbside collection and should be safely stored until it can be disposed of through the City’s Household Hazardous Waste program. The next Household Hazardous Waste drop-off event will take place on July 25, 2026, at Kanata Research Park, 373 Leggett Drive, from 8 am to 4 pm
Electronic waste (e-waste) is not accepted for curbside garbage collection. Much of this waste consists of steel, glass, copper, aluminum, plastics and precious metals that can be recycled and reused. Check Ottawa.ca for e-waste events, or residents can bring e-waste to the Trail Waste Facility Landfill. Visit Ottawa.ca for hours of operation.
At this time, there are over 3,200 reports of flooded basements across the city. Given the unprecedented scope of the flooding and damage, it will take time to get to all affected properties. Rest assured that staff are actively pursuing other collection vehicles to increase our available capacity and get to every impacted neighbourhood as soon as possible.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Kanata North Office with any questions.
Thank you,
Councillor Cathy Curry