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Drainage

The Township of Perth East looks after both Municipal Drains and the Tile Loan Program.

Physically, a municipal drain is simply a drainage system. Most municipal drainage systems were constructed to improve the drainage of agricultural land. However, they also remove excess water collected by any other properties in rural areas. Municipal drains are created under the authority of the Drainage Act.

Landowners in an area requiring drainage can sign a Petition for Drainage, which will set in motion a project to create a new municipal drain. This falls under Section 4 of the Drainage Act.

To petition a new drain, please fill out the Section 4 Form on the Government of Ontario’s website, print out and bring to the Perth East Municipal Office. 

If an existing drain requires significant repair and as a result the repair includes changing the original drain’s infrastructure in a way that is different from the original engineered plans, an application should be filed under Section 78 – Repair & Improvement. Examples of this include widening, lengthening, deepening a drain, etc.

To have a drain repaired and improved, please contact the Development Technologist at the Perth East Municipal Office.

The most common application is one that falls under Section 74 of the Drainage Act, which is your basic Maintenance & Repair work. This usually includes work such as clean outs, removal of beavers/dams, repairing/replacing tile and generally repairing the existing drain in a way that does not detract from the drain’s original construction.

To have a drain maintained and repaired, please contact the Development Technologist at the Perth East Municipal Office.

Do:

  • If you know there is a municipal drain on your property, find out how the municipal drain affects your property. How much is your property assessed?

  • If you notice any problems with the municipal drain, immediately notify the Clerk’s Department

  • Before purchasing a property, investigate how municipal drains may affect it.

Don’t:

  • Obstruct access. Along every municipal drain is an unregistered work space that the municipality has the right to use to maintain or repair the drain. Please keep this work space accessible.

  • Store materials (ie. brush or other floatable material) near the drain. During storm events and spring runoff this material may block the drain.

  • Perform the work yourself. Notify the Clerk’s Department to arrange for maintenance on a municipal drain.

  • Direct septic system waste, milk house waste, barnyards and manure storage runoff or other pollutants directly to these drains.

View OMAFRA Drainage Webpage

Contact Us

Tyler Berry
Development Technologist

Township of Perth East
25 Mill Street East
Milverton, Ontario N0K 1M0
T.: 519-595-2800 x239
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Contact Tyler Berry

Development Technologist

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Perth County Open Air Fire Ban Lifted

PERTH COUNTY (August 25, 2025) – Effective at noon today, thanks to the recent rainfall, the open air fire ban will be lifted in the County of Perth, including the City of Stratford. Burn permits can now be issued and must abide by the respective municipality’s open air burn by-law.
With the monitoring of rainfall and vegetation conditions, Fire Chiefs are confident that residents can now safely burn. Please continue to practice safe burning by doing the following:

  •  Call your local fire department to obtain an open air burn permit.
  •  Closely supervise all outdoor fires. Make sure the fire is out before leaving the area.
  • Ensure that your open fire is the correct distance from all structures and other combustible materials.
  •  Never burn plastics, household garbage, construction debris, treated lumber or other laminate wood, tires, ashphalt products, pesticides, paint or aerosol containers, etc. These contain toxins that are harmful to people, animals and the environment when burned.
  • Avoid burning on windy days and be aware of wind direction when deciding to burn.
  • Never use gasoline or other flammable combustible liquids.

Have a source of water or equipment to move dirt/sand to extinguish the fire if necessary.
With weather conditions changing frequently during the summer months, we advise that the burn ban may be put back in place at anytime, if dry conditions return.
Farmers are still encouraged to be very careful with combining, as field fires can quickly overtake equipment, neighbouring crops and can spread quickly into adjacent woodlands. Having a fire extinguisher on board large equipment is highly recommended.
If you discover an uncontrolled/unattended open air fire, it is very important that you report fires immediately to 9-1-1. Do not delay reporting while attempting to control or extinguish the fire.
The Fire Chiefs in these municipalities wish to thank residents and visitors alike for their patience and co-operation during the fire ban.
If you have any questions regarding this order, please contact your local Fire Department.

Contact Jeff Bannon

Planner (County of Perth - Perth East)

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Contact Jake Collings

Manager of Public Works

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Contact Loretta Wicke

Property Tax / Utilities Clerk

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Contact Paige Fletcher

Recreation Coordinator

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