City approves basement flooding subsidy for homeowners

The City of Toronto has approved a Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy program for homeowners who experienced flooding during the August 19, 2005 storm. More than 150 mm (6 inches) of rain fell in a three-hour period causing many basements to flood in the northern part of the city. The program offers eligible single-family, residential homeowners a subsidy to install flood-prevention devices on the internal plumbing of their homes.

“The subsidy is a major benefit to homeowners who experienced basement flooding caused by the August storm,” said Shelley Carroll, Councillor for Don Valley East and Chair of the City of Toronto Works Committee. “Installing the flood-prevention devices offered in the program can help prevent future flooding from occurring,” said Carroll. “It’s a traumatic experience to lose personal belongings and deal with the flood damage and I urge residents to send in an application for approval as soon as possible.”

Homeowners are eligible for the program in one of two ways:

• First, they had to report the basement flooding incident to the City, either to Toronto Water staff or to Insurance and Risk Management staff, or to their local City Councillor.
• Secondly, provide back-up documents indicating their insurance company was informed of the basement flooding in a timely manner.

Applications for the subsidy will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until February 1, 2006.

“Toronto Water staff will be contacting homeowners who apply for the program and we’ll be visiting homes, where needed, to help determine the nature of the flood,” said Lou Di Gironimo, Acting General Manager for Toronto Water. “This is also a good opportunity to remind all homeowners to practice flood prevention. If you have any concerns about basement flooding, call Toronto Water (416-338-8888) and we’ll send staff out to inspect.”

There are many causes of basement flooding including sewer back-ups, leaky foundations, cracked basement walls, poor lot drainage, reverse slope driveways, overflowing eavestroughs, leaking or plugged downspouts, blocked sewers, and failing sump pumps. This program is one of many solutions a property-owner can consider to alleviate the potential for basement flooding.

The City will be advertising the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy program in local community papers and will be mailing information to residents who reported flooding to the City. Councillors will also be sending information to constituents who were affected by the storm.

For more information, call Toronto Water at 416-338-8888, or visit www.toronto.ca/water