Surrey to Reassess 12 Stormwater Detention Ponds
Surrey City Hall is rethinking the future of 12 stormwater detention ponds after a citywide review revealed that a majority are not functioning as intended.
Following an “atmospheric rainfall event” in October 2024, engineers found that 78 per cent of the 100 ponds inspected were inactive or ineffective. Eleven of the underperforming ponds are located in North Surrey, and one in South Surrey.
“I’m just really glad to see this getting dealt with,” said Mayor Brenda Locke, after council approved a report by Scott Neuman, the city’s general manager of engineering, on November 3.
Purpose and Findings
Stormwater ponds are designed to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall and improve water quality. Most of Surrey’s 148 ponds are grassy, dry basins built between the 1970s and 1990s, often located alongside parks or BC Hydro corridors.
Neuman’s report highlighted that many of these older ponds no longer serve their intended drainage functions. With growing pressure for land use and housing, City Hall aims to reassess whether these areas could be better utilized.
Four Options on the Table
The city has identified several potential approaches for the 12 sites:
- Optimize the ponds to activate more frequently for better stormwater control.
- Upgrade them into wet ponds for improved water quality.
- Convert them into underground detention systems, freeing surface land for park use.
- Repurpose or dispose of the land for other municipal or housing needs.
Next Steps
City departments will now collaborate to decide the future of these 12 sites, while plans for the remaining 104 ponds will be reviewed internally and prioritized for council discussions.
Many of the reviewed sites are larger than typical residential lots and located near existing parks or schools — meaning they could potentially support small-scale housing or community projects in the future.
Source: Surrey Now-Leader
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