Overview of the Heavy Rainfall Event of July 13

The City is aware that the heavy rainfall on July 13 caused significant disruptions for some residents. On that day, between 70 and 100 mm of rain fell, including 57 mm in just one hour, representing a volume characteristic of a 100-year rainfall event. In response, a thorough analysis of the stormwater drainage system was conducted to better understand the situation. 

The results indicate that, overall, for this exceptional rainfall, the network performed as expected, managing stormwater runoff within its designed capacity. This is largely due to the City’s proactive maintenance efforts prior to the event, including conduit cleaning, catch basin inspections, and pump station upkeep. These interventions helped maintain the system’s ability to drain water effectively in several areas, despite the heavy rainfall. 

However, water accumulation was observed in certain sectors. Mitigation measures for these affected areas are currently under review and implementation. 

In one specific sector, it was determined that there was an issue with water accumulation in certain pipes of the City’s network, but whose maintenance and servicing are the responsibility of a third party. In such cases, for technical reasons, the City cannot intervene directly. That said, the City recognizes the impact on residents and is actively engaging with the responsible parties to ensure corrective measures are implemented as soon as possible. Additional solutions are also under evaluation. 

Were You Affected by Water Infiltration or Pooling? Let Us Know. 

To strengthen our post-event analysis and help target future measures, we invite residents who experienced water infiltration or surface pooling on July 13 to complete a short form. Your responses will provide valuable insight into the impacts and help us better understand the affected areas, allowing us to refine our future actions.  

Fill out the form 

All information collected will be handled with care and kept confidential. Thank you for your valuable cooperation.  

Why Does Water Sometimes Pool on Streets? 

During heavy rainfall, it’s normal for water to temporarily collect on some streets. These areas are designed to act as short-term retention zones, helping to manage excess surface runoff while the underground network gradually drains the water. 

To address surface runoff, the City of Pointe-Claire has been investing for several years in sustainable stormwater management solutions, including: 

• Rain gardens, such as the one in Belmont Park, which filter and redirect runoff;
• Retention pipes and underground basins, like those on Hymus Boulevard;
• Vegetated swales, such as the one on Winthrop Avenue, which slow down water flow. 

These infrastructure improvements help reduce pressure on the system and reduce the risk of water infiltration or accumulation.