The Basement Flooding Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance to property owners who experience basement flooding in their home. The program helps mitigate and prevent basement flooding incidents by offering funding for eligible flood protection measures such as weeping tile disconnection with redirection to a new sump pump and backwater valves.
Eligibility
The following criteria must be met in order to qualify for the Basement Flooding Grant Program:
- The property has experienced basement flooding OR is in an area of the City that could be prone to basement flooding.
- The property has weeping (footing/foundation) tiles that are directly connected to the sanitary system or storm system (typical of homes constructed prior to 1985.
- The applicant must be the owner of the property.
- Once approval from the City has been received in writing, you may hire a licensed plumber or drainage contractor of your choosing to complete the works.
- The work must not have started prior to receiving grant approval in writing.
- The applicant must not have other outstanding debts to the City of London.
- The applicant must execute an appropriate liability release document.
For further questions about the Basement Flooding Grant By-law, or to find out if you qualify for the grant program, please contact Sewer Engineering at sewers@london.ca or call 519-661-2489 ext. 5489.
Eligible work (Residential)
| Eligible Work – Residential homes | Grant = 90% of total cost to a maximum of: |
| Backwater valve1, 2 | $1,600 |
| Sewage ejector and holding tank (including interior plumbing modifications)3 | $5,500 |
| Sump pit and pump: with existing weeping tiles disconnected inside the basement | $3,100 |
| Sump pit and pump: with existing weeping tiles disconnected outside the basement | $3,900 |
| Disconnection of additional footing tile connections | $2,200 |
| Storm lateral from the City sewer main (in the road allowance or in an easement) to the dwelling unit (storm building sewer and storm private drain connection) | $9,000 |
| Storm lateral on private property from an existing storm private drain connection stub (at property line) to the dwelling unit (storm building sewer) | $3,000 |
| Sump pump battery back-up when installed in conjunction with a new sump pump4 | $1,300 |
| Sump pit and pump for a reverse grade driveway (to replace private catchbasins or drains which collect runoff that are currently directed to a City sanitary sewer) | $3,900 |
- If weeping tiles are not present, eligibility for backwater valve is assessed by the City on risk of sanitary sewer surcharging.
- Not applicable for duplex dwellings in accordance with the Ontario Building Code.
- The grant program does not cover maintenance, repair, or replacement of existing sump pits and pumps. Only new installations are eligible for consideration under the program.
| Eligible works – Condominium Corporations, Non-Profit Housing Co-operatives (for pre-screened applicants) | Grant = 90% of total cost to a maximum of: |
| Engineering report | $3,600 |
| Sump pit and pump systems and sanitary backflow prevention systems | $2,400 per unit |
**The Basement Flooding Grant Program does not provide funding for the installation of new weeping tiles (interior or exterior), repairs of floor or wall cracks, or any waterproofing services.
How to apply
- Contact licensed plumbers/drainage contractors to assess the appropriate remedial measures for your property and obtain itemized cost estimates or quotes. Contact the City's Sewer Engineering Division to review these remedial measures.
- Obtain an information package and application by contacting the Sewer Engineering Division at sewers@london.ca or call 519-661-CITY (2489) ext. 5489.
- Fill out the application (page 1) and include your cost estimates/quotes obtained from licensed plumbers/drainage contractors and return completed application to the City of London for review.
- Allow up to four weeks for the City to review your application and approve the amount of your grant in writing. The grant amount will depend on the assessment of the eligible works proposed.
- When approved, hire a licensed plumber/ drainage contractor to complete the work and obtain the appropriate permit(s) from the City.
- Contact the Building Division to inspect the work and sign off on the installation as per the permit requirements. Email building@london.ca or call 519-661-4555.
When the work is complete, fill out the application (page 2) and submit it, with the paid invoice detailing all the work that was completed, to sewers@london.ca, or by mail to:
Sewer Engineering Division
9th Floor, 300 Dufferin Avenue
P.O. Box 5035
London, Ontario N6A 4L9
Attention: Basement Flooding Grant Program
Subject to approval of the submission, the City will issue a cheque for the grant within 2-6 weeks.
Please note that the application process is different for Condominium Corporations and Non-Profit Housing Co-operatives. Please contact the City’s Sewer Engineering Division for more information.
Basement flooding prevention
There are many different sources of basement flooding. Cracks in the foundation, plugged toilets and blocked sewer drains are the most common reasons homes flood.
Properly taking care of your home and yard can help prevent flooding.
- Throughout the year take a look around your property to make sure the ground is sloping away from your house and downspouts are extended two meters (six feet) away from the house.
- Inspect your basement walls and floor for cracks and repair as necessary.
- If you have a backwater valve or sump pump, check they are in good working order.
- Keep your drains unobstructed. Do not pour grease down the drain or flush objects down the toilet.
- Ensure that window well lips are at least a few centimetres above the ground surface.