Standing Water Reporting surveillance will start on April 1, 2011 and continue until October 31, 2011. The by-law is in effect from April 1 to October 31 so no complaints are investigated outside of that timeframe.
The most effective way to reduce mosquito populations is to reduce the areas where they can breed. Mosquitoes breed in "standing water" and tend to remain close to their breeding habitat throughout their life cycle. This means that if we can reduce the number of breeding areas, we can reduce the number of mosquitoes and therefore, reduce the incidence of West Nile virus in our community.
One of the key strategies to reduce standing water in the City of Hamilton is the enforcement of the Standing Water By-law 03-173 (pdf) in the urban boundary and settlement areas of the City between April 1 and October 31 each year.
Report standing water to the Customer Contact Centre
If you want to report standing water or have questions, please contact us.
A body of water is considered "standing water" when it is in excess of 2.5 centimetres in depth at the deepest point, and when there is no discernible movement of the water or sustained disturbance of the water surface.
Water is not considered "standing water" when it has been treated in a manner which can reasonably be expected to prevent the breeding of various types of insect pests. Such treatment may include sustained agitation of the water or treatment by a pesticide approved by the Medical Officer of Health.
Public land complaints
Public land complaints will be handled by Public Health Services (PHS) and Public Works within five (5) business days. PHS will perform larval surveillance on catch basins and surface waters as sites are identified through internal means or via complaints. PHS will also trigger the larviciding contractor to visit a site for treatment (larviciding) when a site has low, moderate or high counts of mosquito larvae.
Private land complaints
Private land complaints that fall within the scope of the Standing Water By-law will be investigated and enforced by Public Health Services.
We are accepting reports of standing water. Businesses and property owners are encouraged to remove standing water on their property.
The Standing Water By-Law:
City of Hamilton By-Law 03-173 - A By-Law to Prohibit and Regulate The Accumulation Of Standing Water At Specified Times Of The Year (pdf)
Last updated: April 1, 2011