Basement Flooding

The City of St. Catharines provides resources and information for residents and homeowners to prevent and clean instances of basement flooding. Performing regular maintenance and planning ahead can save you lots of time and money in the long run!

What to Do If Your Basement is Flooded

Report basement flooding to the City by calling 905.688.5600 and contact your insurance provider as soon as possible.

Determining the cause of basement flooding is not always easy. The City needs as much information as possible from affected residents, including:

• Where is the water coming from?
• When did it start?
• How much water is there?
• What is the clarity of the water?

Flood Prevention

Our Basement Flooding Prevention Guide for Homeowners provides vital information on:

• Our St. Catharines sewer system
• Types and causes of basement flooding
• Immediate and long-term flood prevention techniques
• Insurance considerations
• What to do if your basement is flooded and clean-up

Flood Action Checklist

Our Seasonal Property Flood Action Checklist provides handy tips on flooding prevention measures you can take regularly and before a rainstorm.

Flood Alleviation Program (FLAP)

The rebate covers up to 90 per cent of eligible costs, with a maximum of $5,000 for single-detached residential homes. The purpose of this grant is to reimburse the costs of installing flood protective devices, such as a sump pump and backwater valve, to homeowners who have had or are at risk of having a sanitary drain back-up from sewer surcharging. These devices can help provide immediate basement flooding protection and decrease the volume of rainwater discharged into the sewer system.

Think your residential property is eligible for the FLAP rebate? Apply online using our FLAP Rebate Intake Form.
Unsure of your eligibility or want more information? Contact the program coordinator at FLAP@stcatharines.ca.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria include:

• Single-detached residential homes (including duplexes, triplexes, etc.), built before 2012
• Both sides of a semi-detached home, built before 2012
• Construction related to the grant application must not have begun prior to approval
• All FLAP work must be done under a valid permit, issued by the City

Inspection and Work Process

If eligible, our staff will book an initial property inspection to determine the scope of work that is required. You are then responsible for getting at least one quote and submitting it to the project coordinator for approval.

After approval, you can proceed to coordinate with your chosen contractor to begin the installation work. After the work is complete, our plumbing inspector will perform a final inspection to ensure work has been installed correctly. After the successful inspection, the homeowner is then responsible to pay the contractor invoice and provide proof of payment to the program coordinator. The program coordinator will then issue the rebate, and a cheque will be mailed to the applicant.

Timelines

Each Flood Alleviation Program applicant's situation is different, so timelines for the program may vary. The process may take up to several months to complete, from application to reimbursement.