Here's how you can help with winter road maintenance

** Report potholes ** and any other road or sidewalk deficiencies by calling 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). ** Clear snow on your property. ** The Use and Care of Roads By-Law No. 2003-498 and Parks and Facilities By-Law No. 2004-276 prohibit the disposal of snow or ice on roadways or in any park. When clearing snow from your driveway or walkway (even if a contractor is doing it for you), snow and ice may not be pushed, thrown or otherwise deposited on the street, sidewalk or park. Anyone charged with an offence may be subject to a fine. ** Do not place metal markers on your property line ** . The Use and Care of Roads By- Law No. 2003-498 prohibits the placement of markers on highways, boulevards and residents’ property lines. Snow removal equipment may be damaged by the metal markers and landscape stones. Also, posting these markers at the edge of the road may cause more snow to be placed in the roadway itself. This can create a safety issue. In place of metal markers, you can use wooden markers, which should be no larger than a hockey stick. ** Take extra care ** around snow clearing and removal equipment. ** Garbage containers or bags and recycling boxes: ** To prevent them from becoming damaged place all items at curbside – not on a snow bank or roadway. Do not block the sidewalk. ** Avoid winter overnight parking tickets: ** Between November 15 and April 1 vehicles are prohibited from parking on city streets between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. when Environment Canada forecasts a snowfall of 7 cm or more. This includes any forecast between 5 and 10 cm. (This does not apply to on street parking permit holders). be in the know about snow.

To help with flood control, ** open catch basins or drains ** in front of your property when the weather becomes mild. It’s normal for water to pool around a catch basin in wet weather.  Roads are designed to drain based on the sewer capacity.  Report any service issues by calling 3-1-1. ** Safety first: ** Please ensure children play it safe and stay off snow banks and not dig snow tunnels or trenches that could collapse or be filled in by passing snow clearing or removal equipment. _ ( Adapted from the City of Ottawa web site .) _