Steinbach City Council will review two new proposed bylaws during the upcoming council meeting on May 19, 2026, aimed at managing local drainage and updating the city’s fine structure. The meeting, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, marks the first reading for both By-Law 2274 and By-Law 2282.
The proposed land drainage bylaw, By-Law 2274, is a significant expansion of the city’s previous sump pump rules that have been in place since 2003. This update comes after heavy rain in September 2024 and September 2025 caused flooding that affected more than 200 properties. The new rules are designed to cover all drainage issues, including sump pump discharge, downspouts, and water management between neighbouring properties.
Mayor Earl Funk noted that the city plans to focus on education and compliance regarding these new drainage rules rather than issuing immediate fines. This approach is part of a broader effort to improve water management, which includes a total investment of over $20 million in the 2026 budget toward wastewater infrastructure. This funding supports the development of a new $216 million wastewater treatment facility to help the city manage capacity more effectively.
The second proposal, By-Law 2282, introduces a new schedule for administrative penalties. This bylaw follows the city’s adoption of an enforcement framework in January 2025, which provides the municipality with the authority to issue fines under the Municipal By-law Enforcement Act. Residents were previously affected by flood damage that the province determined did not qualify for provincial disaster financial assistance, leading the city to prioritize local infrastructure and clearer property management standards.
