Curbside Storm Debris Clean-up Begins Across Kawartha Lakes
Kawartha Lakes – In response to the recent ice storm, the municipality will be offering storm-related curbside tree and brush removal services.
This program aims to assist in clearing fallen tree branches and storm-related brush generated from private tree damage.
The program will be broken up into two parts: urban area clean-up and rural area clean-up.
Key Details
What properties are eligible?
All residences on assumed municipal roads in the City of Kawartha Lakes
Residences on unassumed and private roads that receive waste collection
Residences on Highway 7 in Omemee
What properties are not eligible?
Residences fronting on provincial highways, which are the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO). The MTO will be doing clean-up on their highways, with the exception of Highway 7 in Omemee, which will be included in the urban area program. We do not know if the MTO is doing clean-up on residential properties, please contact them to find out.
Residences on unassumed or private roads who do not receive waste collection.
What will be removed: Storm tree branches and brush debris only.
Schedule: In an effort to maximize efficiency, the City asks that all applicable material be placed for pick up no later than April 20, 2025 for the urban area program.
What will not be removed? Regular leaf and yard waste will be left behind. Put leaves, twigs and small debris in leaf bags and hold on to them until your next curbside Leaf and Yard collection in June.
Preparation Instructions
Branches and debris, too big for regular yard waste collection, should be stacked at the curb.
Tree branches, limbs, logs, etc. should not exceed 8 inches in diameter.
Place storm debris in small piles at the edge of the sidewalk or roadside, ensuring the material is not obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
Do not obstruct, block or cover utility boxes, or fire hydrants.
Place cut or broken ends facing out towards the street.
Only storm-related brush will be accepted. Leaf and yard bags will be left behind.
Urban Area Clean-up
Urban Area Clean-up is happening within the settlement boundaries of our hamlets, towns and villages, etc.
Schedule (subject to change):
Zone 1 – South East: Bethany, Downeyville, Omemee, Pontypool, Reaboro and Janetville starts the week of April 21.
Zone 2 – South West: Cambray, Cresswell, Little Britain, Manilla, Oakwood and Sonya starts the week of April 21.
Zone 3 – Lindsay: Lindsay starts the week of April 21.
Zone 4 – North East: Bobcaygeon starts week of April 28. Dunsford, Fenelon Falls and Kinmount starts the week of May 5.
Zone 5 – North West: Kirkfield, Lorneville, Woodville starts the week of April 28. Norland, Coboconk and Cameron starts the week of May 5.
Clean-up begins on Monday April 21 in the areas listed in Zone 1, 2, and 3 above. Residents should have their debris stacked and ready for pick up starting Monday April 21. Exact clean-up days for each area have not been determined as it is unknown how long it will take to complete each zone. Collection for storm debris will only happen once in each area. Work may not necessarily start in all three zones on April 21, but having your storm debris to the curb by then will ensure your property is included in the program.
Rural Area Clean-up
Rural Area Clean-up is happening outside of the settlement boundaries of our hamlets, towns and villages. If your small hamlet or village isn’t listed in the urban area zones above, it will be included in the rural area clean-up.
For the rural program, we’ve split the municipality into four zones and clean-up will start in Zone A on Wednesday April 30.
Schedule (subject to change):
Zone A – South: rural roads around the Omemee, Reaboro, Bethany, Pontypool, and Janetville area starts on Wednesday April 30.
If you live in Zone A, to ensure you’re included in the program, please have your storm tree and brush debris to your curb by April 27, 2025 at the latest.
The three other Rural Area zones will be:
Zone B – East (rural roads around the Dunsford, Downeyville, and Bobcaygeon areas).
Zone C – West (rural roads around the Cameron, Cambray, Oakwood, Little Britain, and Woodville areas).
Zone D – North (rural roads around the Kirkfield, Coboconk, Norland and Kinmount areas)
Clean-up in Zones B, C, and D is not imminent. Start dates for each zone will be shared when available. Zone A is up first on April 30. Once Zone A is complete, crews will begin mobilizing to the next zone.
Note: Please be patient as we work through the municipality. Both the urban and rural programs will likely take months to complete due to the size of the municipality and the volume of debris.
Full details of the rural and urban clean-up programs are available on our Storm Updates page: www.kawarthalakes.ca/StormUpdates. If you have specific questions, please contact our Customer Service Department at 705-324-9411.
