Grimsby Basement Flood Protection Program FAQ

Program Overview

The Town of Grimsby is developing a Basement Flood Protection Program (FPP) to help residential property owners reduce the risk of basement flooding related to sanitary sewer backups.

The proposed program would provide rebates to eligible property owners who install approved flood-protection measures, such as backwater valves, sump pumps and the disconnection of foundation drains from the sanitary sewer system.

The program is currently under development and is subject to change. The program is anticipated to begin in early 2027, subject to Council approval and funding through the 2027 budget process.

The proposed program provides both a private benefit to participating homeowners and a broader benefit to the Town and the Town wastewater system.

Following the severe rainfall and flooding experienced in July and August 2026, Town Council directed staff to investigate potential rebate and grant programs to assist residents.

The proposed program is intended to help individual homeowners reduce their risk of future basement flooding while also reducing the amount of stormwater and groundwater entering the Town's sanitary sewer system.

Subject to Council direction and approval through the 2027 budget process, the Town is targeting the first quarter of 2027 for implementation.

The Town still needs to finalize program eligibility, funding, application procedures, inspection requirements and other administrative details before applications can be accepted.

As the program is still currently under development, the Town is not currently accepting applications. Application information will be provided through official Town channels as the program is reaching finalization.

Doing Work Before the Program Starts

The Town recognizes that some residents may not want to wait until the program formally launches.

The Town is considering allowing retroactive reimbursement for qualifying work completed after July 1, 2026. However, retroactive reimbursement has not been formally approved and cannot be guaranteed.

Residents who choose to proceed before the program is approved and launches do so at their own financial risk.

To maximize the possibility of qualifying for a future retroactive rebate, residents are encouraged to follow the anticipated program requirements as closely as possible.

This includes:

  • Using properly licensed plumber (or approved equivalent).
  • Obtaining all required permits before starting the work.
  • Keeping detailed quotations and invoices.
  • Keeping proof of payment.
  • Taking photographs before, during and after construction.
  • Keeping information identifying the equipment installed.
  • Retaining inspection and permit records.
  • Keeping records demonstrating that the property experienced basement flooding in 2026, where applicable.

Meeting these anticipated requirements does not guarantee that the work will ultimately qualify for reimbursement.

No. Until the program and its funding are formally approved, the Town cannot guarantee that retroactive reimbursement will be available.

Any work undertaken before formal program approval is at the homeowner's own financial risk.

Rebates and Eligible Work

The Town is currently considering rebates of 90% of eligible costs, subject to the following maximum amounts:

  • Up to $1,500 toward an eligible backwater valve installation.
  • Up to $5,000 toward eligible foundation-drain disconnection, sump-pump installation and associated work.

Depending on the work required at a property, the maximum combined rebate could therefore be up to $6,500.

To qualify for the program, it will be mandatory for residents to disconnect their weeping tiles/foundation drains and downspouts from the sanitary sewer system.

These amounts remain subject to final program approval.

Eligible work, when completed in conjunction with foundation drain disconnections, is anticipated to include:

  • Installation of an approved backwater valve.
  • Disconnection of foundation drains or weeping tiles from the sanitary sewer.
  • Installation of a sump pit and primary sump pump.
  • Installation of a secondary or backup sump pump.
  • Disconnection of downspouts from the sanitary sewer.
  • Connection of foundation drains to a sump-pump system.
  • Related sump-pump discharge piping.
  • Certain investigation, permit and inspection costs.
  • Necessary restoration or reinstatement associated with eligible work.

Final eligible expenses will be confirmed if the program is approved.

No. The proposed program would reimburse 90% of eligible costs up to the applicable maximum rebate. The homeowner would be responsible for the remaining cost and for any costs exceeding the program maximums.

No. The proposed program is intended to help fund improvements that reduce the risk of future basement flooding. It is not intended to reimburse residents for previous damage to finished basements, furniture, personal belongings or other property.

Eligibility

The proposed program is intended for residential properties within the Town of Grimsby that have (or had) their weeping tile/foundation drains connected to the municipal sanitary sewer system.

Anticipated eligibility includes single-detached, semi-detached and townhouse properties. Applicants would generally need to be the registered property owner or an authorized representative of the owner.

Final eligibility requirements have not yet been approved.

The proposed program is not intended to be limited exclusively to homes that flooded in 2026.

However, because funding will be limited, the Town is considering prioritizing applications. Properties that experienced basement flooding in 2026 would receive priority. Other eligible properties would then be considered subject to available funding.

Backwater Valves and Sump Pumps

A sanitary backwater valve is a plumbing device designed to prevent sewage from flowing backward from the municipal sanitary sewer into a home/building when the sewer becomes surcharged or overloaded.

When operating properly, the valve closes if wastewater begins flowing in the wrong direction through the home's sanitary sewer connection.

No. A backwater valve can help protect a home against sewage backing up through the sanitary sewer connection, but it does not protect against every possible source of basement flooding.

Basement flooding can result from several sources, including overland flooding, groundwater, foundation drainage problems and other private-property drainage issues.

Participation in the program will not guarantee that a property will never experience flooding.

Foundation drains collect groundwater around a home's foundation. In some homes, particularly older properties, these drains may be connected to the sanitary sewer.

During heavy rainfall, these connections can introduce significant amounts of relatively clean groundwater into the sanitary sewer. This reduces available sewer capacity and can contribute to sewer surcharge and basement backups.

Disconnecting these sources helps protect the individual property while also reducing unnecessary flow entering the municipal wastewater system.

A backwater valve alone may not provide adequate protection where foundation drains remain connected to the sanitary sewer. 

If a backwater valve closes during a storm while foundation drainage continues to enter the home's plumbing system, that water may have nowhere to go and could still contribute to basement flooding.

For this reason, the Town anticipates requiring foundation drains and downspouts to be disconnected from the sanitary sewer before a property can qualify for the backwater-valve rebate or requiring the disconnection to be completed as part of the approved work.

A sump system collects groundwater or foundation drainage in a sump pit and pumps the water to an approved location outside the sanitary sewer system.

Where foundation drains are currently connected to the sanitary sewer, a sump system can allow those drains to be disconnected while continuing to remove groundwater from around the home's foundation.

Yes. Homeowners will be responsible for the ongoing operation, inspection, maintenance and eventual replacement of equipment installed on their property.

Backwater valves and sump pumps require regular maintenance to ensure they operate properly when needed.

Application and Construction Process

The proposed program includes a pre-approval and inspection process.

A technical assessment may be required to determine existing drainage conditions, identify whether foundation drains, sump pumps or downspouts are connected to the sanitary sewer, and determine the appropriate flood-mitigation measures for the property.

Final inspections may also be required before reimbursement is issued.

The proposed program anticipates requiring plumbing work to be completed by a properly licensed plumber (or approved equivalent) and to comply with the Ontario Building Code and applicable permit requirements.

The final requirements will be confirmed before the program launches.

The homeowner would be responsible for selecting, hiring and supervising their plumber.

The Town would administer the rebate program and applicable inspections but would not hire or manage the plumber on the homeowner's behalf.

Under the proposed approach, homeowners would generally pay their plumber first and then submit the required documentation to the Town.

Reimbursement (up to 90% of the cost) would be issued after the Town confirms that the work meets program requirements and receives the required invoices, proof of payment, permits and inspection documentation.

Flooding and Responsibility

No. The program, if approved, would be provided to assist residents and would not be an indication of responsibility on the part of the Town for previous or future flooding.

The purpose of the program is to encourage practical improvements that can reduce flood risk and improve the performance of the sanitary sewer system.

No flood-protection measure can completely eliminate the risk of basement flooding.

The proposed measures can reduce specific risks, particularly those associated with sanitary sewer surcharge and private-side drainage connections, but properties can still experience flooding from other causes or during extreme weather events.

Some private-property drainage connections can contribute stormwater and groundwater to the municipal sanitary sewer system.

Removing these connections provides a benefit beyond the individual property. It can reduce wet-weather flows entering the sanitary sewer, preserve sewer capacity, reduce unnecessary pumping and treatment, and help reduce the likelihood or severity of sewer back-ups.

The proposed program provides both a private benefit to participating homeowners and a broader benefit to the Town and the Town wastewater system.

Here are some short YouTube videos that explain common steps homeowners can take to reduce basement flooding risk. These videos cover proper lot grading, downspout disconnection, basement cracks, backwater valves, weeping tile disconnection and sump pumps. 

Proper Surface Grading (0:15)

Downspout Disconnection from Sanitary Sewer (0:32)

Basement Cracks (0:14)

Backwater Valves - General (0:21)

Backwater Valves - Weeping Tile Disconnection (0:40)

Weeping Tile Disconnection and Sump Pumps (1:20)

More Information

The Town will provide additional information as the program framework, eligibility requirements, funding and application procedures are finalized.

Residents are encouraged to subscribe to Town news alerts to receive updates as they become available at: grimsby.ca/subscribe/ 

Program-specific contact information will be provided as the Town moves closer to implementation.

Any questions about the Grimsby Basement Flood Protection Program, please email: floodprotection@grimsby.ca 

Any questions related to plumbing, plumbing permits, or plumbing inspections, contact our Building Division by email: building@grimsby.ca 

Contact Us

Town of Grimsby
160 Livingston Avenue
Grimsby ON, L3M 0J5
Phone: 905-945-9634
Fax: 905-945-5010

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