The City of Colwood Public Works team plays a vital role in keeping our city safe, beautiful and running efficiently by maintaining the community’s parks, roads, sidewalks, sewers, storm drains, and City owned buildings.
If you come across a safety issue with a City road, sidewalk, trail, washroom, drainage system or other infrastructure, please let us know using the Action Request form.
Public Works Service Areas
The City of Colwood provides a unique and convenient Branch Drop Off Program free for Colwood residents.
This program helps keep the yards in our city looking tidy and healthy while diverting materials from the landfill. It also replaces backyard burning, which improves our air quality, protects our natural environment, and creates a healthier community.
The Public Works Yard is open for branch drop off on the first and third Saturday of December, January (*cancelled Jan 20 due to snow) and February from 8:30am to 4:00pm (and then every Saturday from March through November). Our location is just below City Hall at 3300 Wishart Road.
Acceptable material includes branches (maximum diameter 4”), grass clippings and leaves. When preparing your load to bring to the yard, it would be appreciated if you could separate leaves from branches and grass clippings.
2024 Drop Off Dates - Every Saturday March through November, First & Third Saturdays December through February
- JANUARY 6 and 20
- FEBRUARY 3 and 17
- MARCH 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
- APRIL 6, 13, 20, and 27
- MAY 4, 11, 18, and 25
- JUNE 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29
- JULY 6, 13, 20, and 27
- AUGUST 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
- SEPTEMBER 7, 14, 21, and 28
- OCTOBER 5, 12, 19, and 26
- NOVEMBER 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
- DECEMBER 7 and 21
Does your material include invasive species? Some invasives must be taken to Hartland Landfill to ensure safe disposal. At the Branch Drop Off we CAN ACCEPT: Scotch Broom, English Ivy, English Holly, Himalayan Blackberry, English Hawthorn and Periwinkle. Learn more at Colwood.ca/InvasiveSpecies.
For further information please contact the Public Works Yard Office at 250-474-4133.
Please note: This popular program is for Colwood residents only, and is free of charge. Proof of residency may be required at the gate. Private contractors who are working for a Colwood resident will be required to have a note/letter from the Colwood resident indicating the residents name, address, phone number and how many truck loads of debris are expected to be dropped off from this residence during the day. This note should be presented to the attendant at the gate.
The City of Colwood Public Works team is all geared up for winter ice and snow removal...but we need your help!
We need to work together as a community during winter icy and snowy conditions to keep streets and sidewalks clear and safe, and keep people, goods, and services moving.
Ice removal: When the weather drops below zero, the Colwood public works team gets busy applying a brine solution to keep roads clear of ice. The solution is 23.3% salt which is considered optimum for our west coast conditions (Winnipeg uses 100% salt). Because the brine solution can last for up to 5 days on the road surface, it is often applied in advance of an icy night in the forecast. Getting the job done within working hours reduces the added cost of overtime work.
Parking: In the event of a snowfall, please do not park on the travelled portion of the roads. Snow plows need to be able to negotiate the roads and get them cleared as quickly as possible. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Vehicles parked contrary to traffic signage may need to be towed.
Cul-de-sacs: Vehicles parked on cul-de-sacs obstruct snow plows and will prevent those roads from being cleared.
Sidewalks: Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks and footpaths adjacent to their property. Colwood crews tackle major sidewalk areas and transit stops as soon as they are able.
Private roads: Maintenance of private roads, including snow and ice removal, is the responsibility of the property owners. Please make arrangements to maintain private roadways and drainage systems.
A tip for driveway snow removal: Pile the snow to the right of your driveway (facing the road from your home) so that when the snow plow comes by, it does not push the snow back across your driveway entrance or private road access.
It takes a community: If you are able, please offer to help elderly or other neighbours who may need assistance with snow clearing.
Colwood roads are iced and cleared in the following order:
- Major roads
- Steep Hills
- Connectors, School and Playground zones
- Local streets
- Transit stops and sidewalks as soon as possible
Safe Driving Tips
Please avoid driving during extreme conditions. Use alternate transportation whenever possible. If you must drive, ensure your vehicle has good winter tires, carry chains, lower your speed and keep a safe distance from others. Find more winter driving tips from DriveBC .
Managing how stormwater flows through our community is one important way the Public Works team helps to:
- protect our environment;
- reduce flooding to protect people, property and the public drainage systems;
- support healthy creeks, streams and lagoon;
- extend the life of drainage infrastructure; and
- create a healthier, more sustainable community.
Managing stormwater around your property
Residents can help by monitoring nearby drains, catch basins, and gutters, and raking away any blockages.
Stormwater maintenance by the Public Works team
Colwood staff manage $85.1 million worth of storm infrastructure including 6 kilometers of drainage culverts, 25 kilometers of ditches, 35 kilometers of storm drainage pipe and 1300 catch basins.
Catch basins are inspected and flushed with a hydro-vac truck to ensure they are clear and functional. Work is also done to clear grass and brush to ensure unimpeded access to easements where manholes are located.
Storm mains are flushed and assessed using a CCTV camera to gather data and ensure the health of the system.
Open utility systems are maintained seasonally: ditches are mowed (but not beautified), culvert inlets and outlets are inspected and cleared, headwalls are repaired, and washed-out spillways are fixed as needed.
During significant winter rains, City employees actively monitor drainage infrastructure to keep systems in working order.