# Sewer & Culvert Cleaning Toronto | Metro Hydrovac Toronto URL: https://hydrovactoronto.ca/sewer-culvert-cleaning/ Municipal Programs 2,000+ GTA Projects 20 Years Non-Destructive Booking This Week # Metro Hydrovac Toronto: Sewer & Culvert Cleaning Toronto for Storm Drains, Catch Basins, Culvert Flushing & Grease Trap Cleanouts By The Metro Hydrovac Toronto Crew [/about/#metro-hydrovac-crew →](/about/#metro-hydrovac-crew) · Last updated: October 4, 2026 $280-$450/HR Published Rate ZERO Utility Strikes 3,500 PSI Water Wand 27" HG Vacuum Rating ▣ Service Specification ON1CALL • CSA Z247 • OHS 213/91 Metro Hydrovac Toronto [/ →](/) provides sewer and culvert cleaning, catch basin cleaning, culvert flushing and storm drain vacuum service throughout Toronto, Ontario and the GTA, backed by 20 years of municipal and commercial work. Sewer and culvert cleaning is the removal of sediment, grease, debris and blockages from storm and sanitary structures using a high-pressure jetter to break material loose and a vacuum truck to lift it out. Programs are scheduled by sediment depth, and every basin is photographed before and after so your compliance file is complete. City of Toronto catch basin program on Danforth Ave in 2024: basin after basin vacuumed into the 6,000 gallon truck, sediment depths logged, and a before and after photo for every structure. It passed inspection on the first visit. Up the 400 in Vaughan we flushed a run of municipal culverts in two days for $14,600, with disposal records in the file before the invoice. Request a Quote [#quote →](#quote) Call (647) 251-8377 [tel:+16472518377 →](tel:+16472518377) View CAD Rates [#cost →](#cost) ![Crew of two vacuuming a municipal catch basin on Danforth Ave in Toronto beside a vacuum truck](/images/misc/two-crew-members-vacuuming-a-municipal-catch-basin.webp) RIG-01 • SEWER & CULVERT Starting rate (CAD) $280 - $450 per hour + disposal Catch basin (standard): $600-$1,800. Municipal program: $15,000-$75,000 - ✓Before/after photo per basin - ✓Bulk municipal program pricing - ✓Licensed disposal + manifests - ✓Spring and fall scheduling 20 YRS GTA Hydrovac Experience ZERO Utility Strikes, 2,000+ Jobs OHS 213/91 Excavation Compliant $5,000,000 Commercial Liability 5-Star Customer Satisfaction Top-Rated Toronto Hydrovac Contractor 2,000+ Projects Completed ON1Call Certified Locators Written Workmanship Warranty Scheduled Digs: Business Hours Field Audit ## The 5-Point Compliance Checklist Every Toronto Municipal Catch Basin Must Pass Municipal and commercial storm systems get inspected. These five points are what inspectors and engineers look for, and what our crews document on every basin. #01 ### 1\. Sediment below the outlet invert A basin sump only works if there is room for sediment to settle. When grit rises toward the outlet pipe, it washes downstream into the storm sewer. We vacuum to the floor and record depth before and after. #02 ### 2\. Clear outlet and inlet pipes We flush outlet laterals with the jetter so the basin drains freely, and note any roots, breaks or offsets for the owner. #03 ### 3\. Frame, grate and structure condition Cracked frames, missing grates and deteriorated walls get photographed and flagged so repairs can be planned. #04 ### 4\. Oil and floatables controlled Hoods, traps and oil-grit separators must be intact and emptied. Floating oil is removed and manifested as liquid waste. #05 ### 5\. Disposal documented Every load goes to a licensed facility, and the record goes in your file. Without it, the cleaning didn't happen as far as an auditor is concerned. Scope Catalogue ## Sewer & Culvert Cleaning Services Across the GTA Jetter plus vacuum, run by the same crews as our hydrovac work. Billed hourly at $280-$450 CAD plus disposal, or per basin and per program. ### Storm Drain Cleaning Storm sewer laterals and mains flushed with a high-pressure jetter on a hose reel, with sediment vacuumed out at the downstream structure. ### Catch Basin Cleaning Standard basins cleaned to the floor for $600-$1,800 CAD each, with before and after photos and sediment depths logged. ### Culvert Flushing Silted and debris-packed culverts flushed and vacuumed, often avoiding a full replacement. A 24 inch culvert usually takes a morning. ### Grease Trap Cleanouts Restaurant and banquet kitchen grease interceptors pumped and scraped, with manifests provided on the spot. ### Municipal Catch Basin Programs Bulk programs from $15,000 to $75,000 CAD, scheduled spring and fall, with a full photo and disposal package per basin. ### Oil-Grit Separator Cleaning OGS units at plazas, industrial sites and parking lots emptied and inspected per the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. ### Sanitary Line Flushing Sanitary laterals and private mains jetted clear, with blockages pulled and disposed of properly. ### Ditch Inlet Clearing Ditch inlets and roadside drainage structures cleared after storms, common along the Highway 400 and QEW corridors. ## How Sewer and Culvert Cleaning Works Storm and sanitary systems fail slowly. Sediment settles in catch basin sumps, grease coats sanitary laterals, and culverts fill with silt and debris after every big rain. Cleaning reverses that with two tools working together. - **The jetter.** A high-pressure sewer jetter on a hose reel pushes a nozzle up the pipe. Rear-facing jets scour the walls and pull the hose forward, dragging loosened material back to the structure. - **The vacuum.** A vacuum truck pulls the sediment, grease and water out of the sump or manhole and into a sealed debris tank. Our crews run both from the same trucks we use for vacuum truck services [/vacuum-truck-services/ →](/vacuum-truck-services/) . When a cleaning call turns out to be a sewer backup tied to an insurance claim, the job moves to our 24/7 emergency hydrovac [/emergency-hydrovac/ →](/emergency-hydrovac/) crew. ## Catch Basin Programs for Municipalities and Property Managers A program is a scheduled cleaning of every basin on a site or across a portfolio, usually in spring and fall. Here is how ours run: 1. **Inventory.** We map every basin, hood and oil-grit separator, often from your site plan. 2. **Baseline.** First visit records sediment depth and condition for each structure. 3. **Clean.** Vacuum to the floor, flush outlets, remove floatables. 4. **Document.** Before and after photos, depths and condition notes per basin. 5. **Report.** One file per program with disposal records, ready for an insurer, auditor or municipality. City of Toronto catch basin program on Danforth Ave in 2024: dozens of basins into the 6,000 gallon truck, first-visit inspection pass. That’s the format every program follows. > **Field note from our crew** > > Nine times out of ten, this is where the previous contractor cut a corner: they vacuumed the water and left the sediment. The basin looks empty from the grate, everytime, until the next storm washes the grit downstream. ## Culvert Flushing vs Culvert Replacement | Situation | Flushing | Replacement | | --- | --- | --- | | Silt and debris blockage | Usually fixes it in hours | Not needed | | Partial collapse or crushed section | Temporary relief only | Required | | Roots or ice jams | Flushing plus cutting nozzle | Rarely | | Typical cost | $1,350-$2,000 for a single culvert | Tens of thousands plus permits | A packed 24 inch culvert under a Bramalea access road was flushed and vacuumed in 5 hours for $1,950 CAD. No replacement needed. We always flush and inspect before anyone talks about digging a culvert out. ## What Affects Sewer and Culvert Cleaning Cost? - **Number of structures** and how much sediment is in each. - **Pipe length and diameter** for culvert and sewer flushing. - **Disposal volume,** billed by load at licensed facility rates. - **Traffic control** on municipal roads and highway shoulders. - **Timing:** spring and fall programs scheduled ahead cost less than storm-day emergencies. We work with Toronto Water, Peel Region and Halton Region requirements for slurry disposal, and every quote shows rate, mobilization, disposal and locate fees on separate lines in CAD. Why Crews Call Us ## Why GTA Crews Choose Metro Hydrovac Toronto for Sewer & Culvert 01 ### 20 Years of Hydrovac Excavation Experience Two decades operating hydrovac and vacuum trucks across the GTA, from the first Vactor 2100i we bought used in 2004 to three units today. 02 ### Photo Record for Every Basin Before and after photos with sediment depth, logged per structure, delivered with the invoice. 03 ### Municipal Program Experience City of Toronto catch basin program on Danforth Ave, Vaughan Highway 400 culverts and Oakville commercial district basins. 04 ### Licensed Disposal & Manifests Every load goes to a licensed facility with paperwork. Toronto Water, Peel Region and Halton Region requirements handled. 05 ### Owned Fleet, Zero Subcontracting Our jetter and vacuum trucks, our crews. No subcontracted units showing up mid-program. 06 ### Transparent CAD Pricing Published $600-$1,800 per standard basin, $15,000-$75,000 for municipal programs, $280-$450/hr plus disposal for everything else. 5-Step Dig Protocol ## How Our Sewer & Culvert Cleaning Process Works, 5 Steps 1. STEP 01 ### Ontario One Call Locate Verification For any digging around structures we confirm the ON1Call ticket. For cleaning programs we map every basin and culvert, and photograph each one before work starts. 2. STEP 02 ### Truck Positioning & Traffic Control Truck staged at each structure with cones and signs. On busy roads like Danforth or Highway 400 we follow the approved traffic plan and time work around peak hours. 3. STEP 03 ### Pressurized Flushing & Depth Checks Jetter breaks sediment loose, vacuum lifts it, and sump depth is measured before and after. Some contractors over-charge for mobilization thinking clients wont check other quotes. We don't. 4. STEP 04 ### Inspection-Ready Photo Record & Sign-Off Each structure gets before and after photos, depths and condition notes. Owner Alex Novak, whose father worked City of Toronto sewer crews, built this checklist himself. 5. STEP 05 ### Compliant Disposal & Clean Handover Loads go to a licensed facility with manifests, grates go back on, and the street is washed. Trust us, you're in good hands. Published Rate Matrix (CAD) ## Sewer & Culvert Cleaning Cost in Toronto (CAD) Catch basin cleaning in Toronto costs $600-$1,800 CAD per standard basin. Culvert flushing and sewer work bill at $280-$450 CAD per hour plus disposal, and municipal programs run $15,000-$75,000. | Equipment, Crew or Scope | Published Rate (CAD) | Minimum / Base | Use Case | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Catch basin cleaning (standard) | $600-$1,800 | Per basin | Vacuum to floor, outlet check, before/after photos.Photo Record | | Municipal catch basin program (bulk) | $15,000-$75,000 | Per program | Spring and fall programs priced by basin count and disposal. | | Standard truck + 2-person crew | $280-$350/hr | 4 hrs ($1,120-$1,400) | Culverts, grease traps, oil-grit separators. | | Large tank truck (6,000 gal) + 2-person crew | $350-$450/hr | 4 hrs ($1,400-$1,800) | Long culvert runs, multi-basin days. | | Sewer backup emergency (off-hours) | $450-$650/hr | 4 hrs | 24/7 for sewer backups and insurance claims. | Disposal is billed by load on its own line. Every quote itemises hourly rate, mobilization, disposal and locate fees separately. Objections, Answered With Numbers ## 4 Concerns Property Managers Raise About Catch Basin Programs ### “Our basins look fine from the grate.” In our opinion, the grate is the worst place to judge a basin. Sediment builds under the hood and below sight lines. Our photo record shows the depth, so you decide with numbers. ### “Program pricing never matches the final invoice.” We price by basin count and disposal estimate, and every basin is logged. Our 28-basin Danforth plaza program came in at $16,200 CAD as quoted. ### “Cleaning will disrupt tenants and deliveries.” We schedule around business hours. Nine basins behind a Queen St E building were done before the morning deliveries. ### “We only need it after a flood.” Sediment that washes past a full sump ends up in the storm sewer and can bring a municipal order. Spring and fall cleaning costs less than one emergency call at $450-$650 per hour. Field Photos ## Recent Sewer & Culvert Work Across the GTA Crews of two or more on every job. Click any photo to enlarge. Client Field Reports ## What Clients Say About Our Sewer & Culvert Work > “28 catch basins across two retail plazas, $16,200 CAD for the program. Before and after photo for every basin, which made our insurer happy.” Frank M. · Danforth > “24 inch culvert under our access road was packed solid. Flushed and vacuumed in 5 hours, $1,950 CAD, and no replacement needed.” Jasmine K. · Bramalea > “Grease trap cleanout at our banquet hall kitchen, manifest provided on the spot. $1,260 CAD for the 4-hour callout.” Victor A. · Woodbridge 5-Star Customer Satisfaction · Top-Rated Toronto Hydrovac Contractor Field Questions ## Sewer & Culvert Cleaning FAQ ### How much does catch basin cleaning cost in Toronto? A standard catch basin costs $600-$1,800 CAD. Bulk municipal or multi-site programs run $15,000-$75,000 depending on basin count and disposal. ### How much does sewer and culvert cleaning cost per hour? $280-$350 CAD per hour for a standard truck and crew, $350-$450 for the 6,000 gallon truck, plus disposal, with a 4-hour minimum. ### Is catch basin cleaning expensive? Per basin it is usually less than one emergency call. A municipal order or flooded lot after a storm costs far more than a scheduled clean at $600-$1,800. ### How often should catch basins be cleaned? Most commercial sites need spring and fall cleaning. High-traffic lots, construction-adjacent sites and basins without hoods may need it more often. Sediment depth tells you. ### What does a combination sewer truck cost? A jetter and vacuum combination unit costs several hundred thousand dollars plus maintenance and TSSA tank inspections, which is why municipalities and property managers contract the work. ### What training do your sewer cleaning crews have? Red Seal certified operators with confined space training, ON1Call certification for any digging, and traffic control training for road work. ### Do you provide photos and disposal records? Yes. Every basin gets before and after photos with sediment depth, and every load comes with a disposal record from a licensed facility. ### Do you run catch basin programs in Oakville? Yes. We completed an Oakville commercial district program for $11,400 in one day and coordinate with Halton Region on disposal. ### Do you respond to sewer backups 24/7? Yes. Sewer backups, water main breaks and insurance claims get 24/7 dispatch at $450-$650 CAD per hour off-hours. Itemised Quote ## Request a Sewer & Culvert Quote Tell us the site, the scope and the timing. We reply with hourly rate, mobilization, disposal and locate fees on separate lines, in CAD. - ✓Free on-site assessment for commercial projects across the GTA - ✓Owned trucks, in-house Red Seal operators, no subcontracting - ✓Written workmanship warranty on every job - ✓ (647) 251-8377 [tel:+16472518377 →](tel:+16472518377) for same-week scheduling Message received Thanks. A crew lead will call you back during business hours. For a water main break or sewer backup, call (647) 251-8377 now. Same Trucks, Same Crews ## Related Hydrovac Services $280-$450/HR ### Vacuum Truck Services Wet and dry vacuum truck work with 2,500-6,000 gallon tanks for industrial tanks, sumps, liquid waste and site debris. Rates & scope → [Vacuum Truck Services →](/vacuum-truck-services/) $450-$650/HR ### 24/7 Emergency Hydrovac 24/7 response for water main breaks, sewer backups and insurance claims, with time-stamped logs adjusters accept. Rates & scope → [24/7 Emergency Hydrovac →](/emergency-hydrovac/) $280-$450/HR ### Hydrovac Excavation Non-destructive digging with 3,000-4,000 PSI water and 27 inch Hg vacuum for potholing, backfill removal and confined space work. Rates & scope → [Hydrovac Excavation →](/hydrovac-excavation/) ![](/images/misc/vacuum-truck-working-a-row-of-catch-basins-in-a-to.webp) Scheduling This Week Rates Published in CAD ## Schedule Your Spring or Fall Catch Basin Program Send a basin count or a site plan. We'll quote per basin or per program in CAD, with photo records and disposal included in the scope. Call (647) 251-8377 [tel:+16472518377 →](tel:+16472518377) Request a Quote [/contact/ →](/contact/) ✓ Written workmanship warranty ✓ No hidden mobilization fees ✓ $5M liability, WSIB registered