Basement Flooding Emergencies or Inquiries?

(519) 661-4570 (Monday-Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm)

(519) 661-4965 (After hours)

The Sump Pump Grant Program

Until Building Code changes were introduced in 1985, it was a common practice to connect foundation footing tiles (weeping tiles) to the sanitary sewer system. Due to poor lot grading maintenance, such connections to the sanitary sewer can lead to the sanitary sewer system being overwhelmed with high sewage flows, and result in basement flooding. Poor lot grading allows surface water to enter the sanitary sewer system, via the weeping tiles and often roof water downspouts discharge so close to the foundation wall, it too will enter the sanitary sewer system via the weeping tiles. Therefore, these types of connections (weeping tiles) to the sanitary sewer system are no longer permitted.

Municipalities do not have the authority to enforce strict lot grading maintenance requirements to the original design. Today’s standards require the use of sump pumps to discharge this collected water onto the surface or into a storm sewer via a private drain connection.

This program provides a subsidy to homeowners, condominium corporations, and non-profit housing co-operatives who have experienced, or are likely to experience basement flooding caused by a surcharged sanitary or storm sewer, and who subsequently disconnect the footing tiles from either the sanitary or storm sewer and install a sump pump system for disposal of footing tile water to a suitable outlet other than the sanitary sewer system. This can reduce extraneous flows in the sanitary sewer system, reducing the possibility of basement flooding.

Sump Pump, Sewage Ejector, and Storm Private Drain Connection By-Law

The Following is a list of plumbing contractors who have attended an information session held by the City of London, in alphabetical order. The sessions are held in an effort to explain how the grant program is operated and to review the various reasons for basement flooding throughout the City of London.

Arnold Plumbing and Drain 519-686-5525
Aqua Fix 519-686-1447
Best Contractors 519-438-6565
Bo’s Plumbing and Heating 519-859-0034
Discount Drain 519-451-8342
Fabian’s Plumbing and Heating Ltd. 519-868-7854
FC Drainage Service 519-902-5953
London Drain Service 519-659-5900
MacMillan Construction 519-657-6498
Practical Plumbing 519-471-8392
Prime Plumbing and Renovations 519-854-0389
Salmon Plumbing 519-451-8910
Vladic’s Plumbing 519-870-7680
Wagg Plumbing 519-392-6215

The Program - An Overview

For eligible homeowners of residential homes (semi-detached dwelling, single detached dwelling, an duplex dwelling) , the Sump Pump Subsidy Program covers 75% of the demonstrated cost established as follows:

Up to a maximum of $1,875.00 for out-of-pocket expenses to disconnect the footing tiles when they are connected to the main drain inside the basement; or
Up to a maximum of $2,650.00 for out-of-pocket expenses to disconnect the footing tiles when they are connected to the main drain outside the basement;
Up to a maximum of $575.00 for out-of-pocket expenses when a full port type backwater valve is installed in a residential home that already has an approved sump pump;
Up to a maximum of $1,525.00 for out-of-pocket expenses incurred when, in lieu of a full port type backwater valve being installed with the sump pump, a sewage ejector and holding tank is installed for the disposal of effluent from basement plumbing fixtures;
Up to a maximum of $3,775.00 for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by an owner for the construction of a storm private drain connection (P.D.C.) within the City road allowance or within a City easement where the owner extends the storm P.D.C. onto the property and connects it to a catch basin, pumped footing tile water, or both;

For eligible condominium corporations, and non-profit housing co-operatives, the Sump Pump, Sewage Ejector, and Storm Private Drain Connection Grant Program covers 75% of the demonstrated cost established as follows:

Up to a maximum of $2,000.00 for out-of-pocket expenses for an Engineering Report;
Up to a maximum of $900.00 (per condominium unit, or non-profit housing co-operative unit) for out-of-pocket expenses for lot grading, sump pump systems, backflow prevention systems, and certification.

Grant approvals are subject to the availability of funding at any given time, as determined by City Council. Grant applications will be processed in chronological order based on the date of receipt of applications.

Read below to learn more about the Application Process. The advice of a plumber licensed to do work in the City of London is recommended to determine the appropriate remedial measures for the property.

A properly designed and installed system for handling residential storm water may reduce the likelihood of sewer backups, but there are no guarantees. Also, this subsidy will not correct the many other causes of basement flooding such as cracked foundations, blocked weeping tiles, improperly sealed window wells, blocked or partially blocked sanitary building drains/sewers, blocked eavestroughs/downspouts, etc..

Eligibility criteria

Owners of Residential Homes (semi-detached dwelling, single detached dwelling, and duplex dwelling)

The applicant(s) for the subsidy must meet the following criteria in order to qualify:

The following scenarios must apply:
- Weeping tiles exist and are directly connected to the sanitary or storm sewer
- Sanitary or storm sewer surcharging is the cause of basement flooding
- The property has experienced basement flooding OR is in an area of the city that is prone to basement flooding
- Flooding, erosion or icing problems are evident as determined by the City;
Must be the owner(s) of the property;
Must not have commenced work prior to grant approval;
Must not have other outstanding debts to the City of London;
Must execute an appropriate liability release document, approved by the Manager of Risk Management and the City Solicitor’s Office
Must meet all conditions of this Grant program

Condominium Corporations, Non-Profit Housing Co-operatives

The applicant(s) for the subsidy must meet the following criteria in order to qualify:

The following scenarios must apply
- Weeping tiles exist and are directly connected to the sanitary or storm sewer
- Sanitary or storm sewer surcharging is the cause of basement flooding
- The property is in an area of the city that is prone to basement flooding or has experienced basement flooding
- Flooding, erosion or icing problems are evident as determined by the City;
Must be the owner(s) of the property, or a condominium corporation, or a non-profit housing co-operative;
Must not have commenced work prior to grant approval;
Must not have other outstanding debts to the City of London;
Must implement all recommendations of the Engineering report related to the subsidy program;
Must agree that the City assumes no liability whatsoever relating to the work undertaken by the condominium corporation, or non-profit housing co-operative.
Must execute an appropriate liability release document, approved by the Manager of Risk Management and the City Solicitor’s Office
Must understand that the eligibility for this grant will be based on a demonstrable need for such work, as determined solely by the General Manager of Environmental Services & City Engineer.
Must meet all conditions of this Grant program

Application Process

For a copy of the application for the Program, please contact the Wastewater and Drainage Engineering Division at 519 661-2500 Ext. 5923. The Division is located on the 9th floor of City Hall, 300 Dufferin Avenue, P.O. Box 5035, London, Ontario N6A 4L9. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The applicant owner(s), condominium corporation, or non-profit housing co-operative will be required to complete an Application Form.

In addition to the completed application form, the applicant owner(s), condominium corporation, or non-profit housing co-operative must provide:

A minimum of 3 quotes for the work from bona fide qualified Contractors, for costs above $10,000.00, to the City Engineer’s satisfaction;
A minimum of 2 quotes for the work from bona fide qualified Contractors, for costs between $5,000.00 and $10,000.00, to the City Engineer’s satisfaction;
One quote for the work from bona fide qualified Contractor, for costs below $5,000.00, to the City Engineer’s satisfaction;
The quotes must detail what work is to be done, and separate out costs for each portion of work;
Such other further information or documentation as may be required by the City Engineer.

Under the discretion of the City Engineer, any work that is started or completed prior to the grant application approval may be deemed ineligible under this program.

City reviews application and supporting documentation and decides whether to approve the grant amount, and determines approximately how much the grant amount will be. The City will advise the applicant in writing of its decision.
The Applicant or Contractor must obtain any necessary permits, including a plumbing permit from the City’s Building Division (7th Floor, City Hall, 300 Dufferin Avenue, London, 519-661-4555) prior to work commencing. Failure to obtain a plumbing permit prior to work commencing will result in cancellation of any approved grant amounts.
The Contractor must co-ordinate work with the City well in advance. The Contractor is responsible to obtain all utility locates for the work for both private property and City property.
The Contractor or the applicant must arrange for an inspection by the City with respect to the plumbing permit. Plumbing permits that have not had an inspection by the City will result in cancellation of any approved grant amounts.
Within six months of receiving grant approval, the owner(s), condominium corporation, or non-profit housing co-operative must submit to the City the final paid invoice from the Contractor setting out the amount due and paid for the work. Any owner, condominium corporation, or non-profit housing co-operative submitting an invoice six months after the grant approval will be ineligible for payment of the grant (subject to the discretion of the City Engineer). The City will not provide a grant for an amount greater than the approximate grant amount set out in the paragraph 2 above, even where the final invoice is greater than the approximate grant amount.
The City may advance either 75% of the invoice amount submitted by the Contractor, or the amount of the approximate grant amount as set out in paragraph 2 above, whichever is less, to the applicant owner(s), condominium corporation, or non-profit housing co-operative.

Program Details

Below you will find specific details on how the equipment provided through the subsidy program works and the property owner's responsibilities for the operation of the sump pump, backwater valve or sewage ejector and the installation of a private drain connection.

Sump Pump

The program requires disconnecting any interior or exterior weeping tiles from the main building sewer and redirecting the water flow to the sump pit. The pump then discharges to the storm sewer (see storm private drain connection) or to the surface of the ground. The float levels must be adjusted properly so the pump is not constantly pumping ground water well below the level of the basement floor. If the sump pump discharges onto the ground, it must be directed away from the house foundation. If the down spouts go into the ground, they also must be disconnected and the pipe in the ground properly sealed and capped.

The discharge must not cause flooding, erosion, or icing problems to City property or neighbour’s properties. A back-up system for the sump pump helps prevent basement flooding in the event of a power failure. This is recommended but not mandatory.

Full Port-Type Backwater Valve

The sump pump eliminates your property's contribution of storm water to the sanitary sewer. To protect your basement from backups caused by other people's improper connections, a full port-type backwater valve is installed in conjunction with the sump pump on the main building drain, downstream of all plumbing fixtures.

This Program is available to reimburse owners who wish to install a full port-type backwater valve in a home that already has a sump pump (generally homes built after 1985). To be eligible, the existing plumbing has to satisfy the sump pump requirements of the subsidy program.

Note: Due to Building Code standards, duplex homes may not be eligible for full port-type backwater valves but a sewage ejector can be installed to provide the appropriate level of protection.

Sewage Ejector

An alternative to a full port-type backwater valve is a sewage ejector but can only be considered in specific circumstances. All the plumbing fixtures in the basement would be re-routed to a holding tank beneath the basement floor. The sewage ejector redirects sewage from the tank, up a vertical pipe that extends above street level, down the building stack and out the building drain. A vent pipe is also required to allow air to escape from the holding tank. With this system, the main sewer levels would have to rise higher than the vertical pipe for flooding to occur.

Storm Private Drain Connection

To be eligible for this Program, there must be demonstrable flooding, erosion, or icing problem, as determined by the City Engineer. Only the cost of the work within the City Road Allowance or City Easement is covered. This subsidy requires you to extend the storm PDC onto private property at the same time. It must connect to a sump pump discharge or to a catch-basin installed on your property to correct a severe surface flooding problem. Please refer to the Drainage By-law - WM-4 for further information.

For more information, or to obtain a copy of the Basement Flooding Guide and details of the subsidy program: