▼

Snow & Ice Policy

Show All Answers

1. What kind of equipment for snow and ice control does the city own?

• 5 Sanding and salting trucks. Three are equipped with under body plows and 2 are equipped with both under body and front plows. All 5 trucks are equipped with Magnesium Chloride pre-wetting tanks.


• 1 Anti-icing spray truck


• 3 Front end loaders with 10’ snow blades


• 2 backhoes with 8’ snow blades


• 1 sidewalk machine equipped with snow blade or broom


• 1 grader equipped with snow gate and 10’ wing, as well as blower attachments

2. Does the city hire contractors for hauling snow?

Yes. The city registers contractors every fall for the winter season for hauling snow. Contractors must register and fill out a contract agreement. For further details including hourly rates, please contact the Municipal Services Department 250-392-1783.

3. What is the city’s snow budget?

The 2014/15 budget for snow and ice control in Williams Lake is $500,000. This allows the city to respond to snow and ice events with sanding and salting trucks, snow plows, sidewalk plow and hand clearing of stairs and bus stops.

4. Does the city reduce service when the budget is spent?

No. By Resolution of City Council the city maintains the same level of service. On years when snow and ice control expenditures exceed the budget, the additional services are paid by reserve funds.

5. How does the city determine the level of snow removal service?

In October 2011 City Council adopted a Snow and Ice Control policy which outlines the level of snow removal service the city will provide during snow and ice events. The document details all aspects of snow and ice control including street priorities, clean up of the downtown core, residential plowing, parking lots and sidewalk plowing.

6. Why can’t the sand particles be smaller or larger?

In order for sand to be effective it must be large enough to provide tire traction. If sand is too fine it will blow off the road surface before it has a chance to become embedded in the snow and ice. If the grains of sand are too large, they can cause considerable damage to vehicles and windshields. To help the sand stick to ice, the city pre-wets the sand as it comes off the back of the sand truck with Magnesium Chloride.

7. Can we request not to have sanding or salting in our neighborhood?

No. The city has a legal obligation to provide snow and ice control services to all citizens, on all public roadways.

8. Why can’t the city remove the snow they put in front of my driveway entrance from the plow truck?

The plows trucks need to plow the roads in order to maintain snow and ice control. It would be very costly for the city to clean driveways. Remember, when shoveling your driveway: always pile the snow on your property and on the left side of your driveway (When facing the property). This will give you a better line of vision when you exit your driveway and the plows will not drag your shoveled snow back across your driveway entrance.

9. Why does the city spray liquid on the roads?

When the forecast calls for snow conditions or when temperatures mean icy roads could develop, the city will occasionally, under the right weather conditions, apply Magnesium Chloride to some of the arterial roads and hillsides. These liquid deicers prevent snow from bonding to the road surface and make it easier to plow the road clear.

10. Why does the city blow snow on my boulevard? Can’t it be hauled away? Do I have to clean up the sand in the spring?

The city owns the boulevard portion of the road in front of your property and needs to blow snow onto the boulevard in order to keep the streets and drains clear.

It is not cost effective to haul snow from these areas and would cost the city approximately $350,000 per winter season to haul this snow away.

Yes, it is the responsibility of the property owner to clean and maintain their boulevard in front of their property. In the spring property owners can rake the winter sand off the boulevard into the gutter. The city street sweeper will be around to clean up the streets and winter sand in the spring.

11. Who is responsible for removing snow from sidewalks?

The city’s Good Neighbour Bylaw requires the owners or occupiers of real property to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk(s) bordering their property by 10 a.m.

12. May I place the snow from my driveway onto the traveled portion of the street?

No. Pushing snow out onto the traveled portion of the road surface creates a potentially dangerous situation for motorists and you could be held liable if an accident was caused by the buildup of snow.

13. I am a business owner. What am I supposed to do with snow that has fallen on my property?

All owners/occupiers of real property are responsible for snow and ice that is on their property. Property owners/occupiers have a legal obligation to ensure that snow is stored within their property.

14. Why is the snow downtown plowed to the center of the street?

In the downtown area there are not enough locations where large accumulations of snow can be placed without impeding traffic. The snow is plowed (windrowed) to the center of the street where it can be picked up and hauled away during the night shift hours.

15. I have a question or concern regarding snow and ice control. Who should I contact?

City operations can be contacted Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 250-392-2311.

For all after hour calls including weekends, please contact the city’s emergency answering service at 250-392-5255.

16. What is the city’s winter schedule?

The city’s winter shift schedule runs from November 1st to March 31st Monday to Friday 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Winter shifts will be extended including weekends if required due to inclement weather conditions.

17. Where do I place my solid waste and recycling carts during winter months?

• Find or clear an unobstructed site to put your carts out for collection. It’s the responsibility of the resident to clear appropriate space at thecurb/roadway in front of their property for placement of carts.


• Put carts as close as possible to the curb/roadway without obstructing the street, sidewalk or bike lane. Often placing your carts on either side of your driveway allows for greater ease for the collection trucks and you.


• Keep carts off the travelled portion of the roadway so as not to interfere with snow plows. Do not place carts in a location where the snow plow will hit them.


• The cart should be no closer than one meter from any obstacle, parked vehicle or other cart. Minimum one meter is required between each cart. When considering cart placement it is important to note the automated arm on the collection truck can only reach a maximum of eight feet from the truck, and up to one foot off the ground.


• Do not place carts behind or on top of snow banks.


• Please have your carts out for collection by 7:00 am on your collection day. Avoid placing your carts out the night before collection and bring them away from the road as soon as possible to avoid interfering with snow plows that are often working in the very late or early morning hours to clear our roadways.


• Clear your cart of snow and ice to ensure the lid is properly down and opens when the cart is tipped into the truck. Your cart will not be tipped into the truck if the operator sees that the lid is not properly closed.


• General Safety: As the waste collection carts are equipped with wheels, please use extra caution when wheeling them in snow and ice conditions.