Snow Removal

The Township of North Dumfries is committed to providing safe roads for the travelling public during the winter season using efficient, economical and environmentally friendly methods.

Roads

The Township of North Dumfries Public Works division is responsible for approximately 175 km of rural and urban roads. Winter maintenance of Township roads is completed in accordance with the Ontario Minimum Maintenance Standards for Ontario Highways.

The Region of Waterloo is responsible for plowing Regional roads within the Township of North Dumfries.

Roads are patrolled frequently and weather postings are monitored during the winter months to assess conditions and deploy equipment and materials as necessary.

Municipal Parking Lots

The Township contracts out the winter maintenance of municipal parking lots. Overnight parking in these lots is prohibited.

Mailboxes

Please assist the snowplow operators by making sure your mailbox is in a good state of repair and not an obstruction. If your mailbox is damaged during winter maintenance activities, please contact the Community Services department at 519-632-8800 ext. 136. Staff will review the situation and determine if a replacement is warranted.

Is snow preventing you from accessing your community mailbox? If you can’t retrieve your mail from the mailbox due to snow buildup, you can request snow clearance online by creating a service ticket with Canada Post.

Sidewalks

The Township contracts out winter maintenance for the entire sidewalk network (over 30km) in accordance with the Ontario Minimum Maintenance Standards for Ontario Highways. Winter maintenance over a rail crossing is the responsibility of CPKC Rail.

Snow or Winter Storm Event

The declaration of a snow or winter storm event depends on credible weather forecasts of substantial snowfalls, or freezing rain events. Parking is prohibited on any Township street at any time (day or night) when the Township of North Dumfries declares a snow of winter storm event. Vehicles parked on-street during a snow or winter storm event can be ticketed and possibly towed. Snow or winter storm events are not limited to certain months. For example, if forecasts predict a winter storm in May, the Township could declare a significant weather event.

To receive notice of a significant weather events in effect please subscribe to receive news alerts. 

Significant weather events remain in effect until the posted end time, or until a cancellation is issued. 

Five things to Remember During the Winter 

1. Fire Hydrants - If a fire hydrant near your property is buried by drifts or snow banks please dig it out or contact Public Works at 519-632-8800 ext. 136. 
2. Windrows - We understand your frustration when you clear your driveway and then a snowplow comes by and leaves a pile of snow - a windrow. Unfortunately, it is impossible to clear snow from the roads with our plows without leaving one.
3. Parking - Parked cars are a snowplow operator's biggest obstacle. If your street has not been plowed please do not park on it. Parking is prohibited overnight between 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., seven (7) days a week, December 1st to March 31st. During the winter months By-Law Enforcement will be actively enforcing this in order to eliminate any conflict with the snowplows. Failure to abide to this policy may result in a fine or your vehicle being towed.
4. Dumping Snow on Roads - Remember it is illegal to deposit snow from your property onto the road. (See section 181 of the Highway Traffic Act.)
5. Patience - When plowing operations begin, the operators are following routes that have been designed to minimize duplication and maximize efficiency. The length of time to complete a route varies however, it may take approximately six hours without an excessive amount of snow.