By TERRY PUGH
The RM of Corman Park council voted at its August 26 meeting to defer a request from the provincial Water Security Agency (WSA) to install two culverts and two ditch blocks on Township Road 374 East, a short distance from the City of Saskatoon’s northeast boundary.
Several councillors questioned whether the project, estimated at a cost of $52,000, was necessary, given that the normal drainage pattern has apparently not changed over the past two decades.
They also wondered if altering the current surface water flow could lead to flooding of farmland and liability issues for the RM in the future.
However, provincial legislation obligates municipalities to abide by WSA official orders, so the options open to the RM are very limited.
An administration report to the August 26 council meeting noted that the WSA first notified the municipality about the issue in January 2024.
The WSA stated in its letter to Corman Park at that time that a drainage complaint had been lodged by a ratepayer who owned land near Township Road 374 East.
“The complaint is related to Township road 374, between Range Road 3043 and Range Road 3041, and the lack of culverts at certain locations,” stated the letter. “WSA investigated the request and determined that Township Road 374 East has unapproved drainage works that would need to be brought into compliance.”
The portion of roadway referred to by the WSA in the report was reconstructed by the RM using in-house resources in 2022. However, no changes to drainage were made at the time the road was reconstructed, according to the administration report.
“Although the drainage pattern around Township road 374 East has remained unchanged over the last 20 or so years, WSA’s investigation revealed that two culverts and two ditch blocks will need to be installed in order to return to the natural drainage patterns of that area,” stated the report.
The WSA outlined two options for the RM: “installing ditch blocks and culverts at suitable locations to restore natural flow patterns,” or for the RM to “complete a drainage study which proves that the existing drainage conditions are compliant and obtain the required permits and approvals.”
The administration report recommended installing the culverts and ditch blocks to “restore the drainage to its historical path” and “comply with WSA’s requirements.”
The WSA provided the RM with a deadline of November 30, 2024 to complete the required drainage work, noting that “if the recommended work has not been completed by the November 30, 2024 deadline, WSA may issue an official order.”
Corman Park Division 6 Councillor Art Pruim questioned the WSA’s recommendation.
“If the drainage pattern hasn’t changed in 20 years, how are we at fault?” said Pruim. “The bureaucrats should come here and explain their reasoning to us. It’s frustrating when provincial bureaucracies saddle Corman Park with projects that our ratepayers have to pay for. There needs to be better communication.”
Corman Park Division 1 Councillor John Germs, who farms land in the immediate vicinity of Township Road 374 East, said currently, the water flows down the Township Road 374 ditch and empties into the northeast swale.
Germs said putting in two culverts would only move the water flow to the opposite side of the road.
“Ultimately the water still drains to the same place,” he said. “Last year, the runoff went where it was supposed to go – into the northeast swale. Why flood more farmland?”
Corman Park Division 3 Councillor Lyndon Haduik cautioned his colleagues about defying a WSA order.
“We can’t impede the natural drainage flow,” said Haduik. “That’s a fundamental part of the provincial legislation. The question we need to ask is: ‘did we have culverts in that road prior to the improvements we made in 2022? If there were culverts and we didn’t put them in when we rebuilt the road, then we’re at fault.”
Corman Park Reeve Judy Harwood agreed the municipality is obliged to comply with WSA official orders, regardless of whether they agree with them or not.
“We are mandated to do this by provincial legislation,” she said.
Division 4 Councillor David Greenwood suggested WSA should foot the bill for the work.
The issue is expected to be on a future council meeting agenda. A representative of the WSA will be invited to attend.