The Ontario Building Code | High Water Table
9.4.4.3. High water Table
(1) Where a foundation bears on gravel, sand or silt, and the water table is within a distance below the bearing surface equal to the width of the foundation, the allowable bearing pressure shall be 50% of that determined in Article 9.4.4.1.
In Plain Language
Where a high water table is present, foundation design must account for it per this article, since groundwater near the surface affects both bearing capacity and moisture control.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.