Portage la Prairie's public works crews are busy working on sewer and water systems throughout the city. While the new water meters are almost completely installed throughout Portage, Councillor Wayne Wall, who's also the chair of the waterworks committee, says they also have their annual water main flushing underway. He notes that work is taking place in different areas of the city each night, so it's important for residents to be aware of when the flushing is going on in their area.

"We warn people in the morning to open their cold water tap and run a little water until it's clear, so they don't get that disturbed water in their water heater. That's important, because what we're doing is flushing iron and calcium scale deposits out of the mains, to maintain high water quality."

Wall notes the crews have also been busy keeping storm drains clear, something especially important with the recent severe thunderstorms. Wall says homeowners can play a role in helping prevent back-ups, by keeping a close eye on where they're blowing their grass clippings.

"We don't want people to blow that grass onto the streets and have it go to the storm drains. It seems like a trivial thing, but the grass can clog storm drains and if we get a large rain, it can cause overland flooding and your property could be affected."

Wednesday night's storm saw many storm drains throughout the city back up, with a huge pool of water forming on Lorne Avenue.