Ontario Basement Flood Protection Programs

Basement Flooding Rebates & Subsidies in Ontario

Municipalities across Southern Ontario offer rebates for certain basement flood-protection upgrades including sump pumps, backwater valves, weeping-tile disconnection and sewer work. This guide summarizes programs we could verify directly with municipal and regional sources for 2026.

Rebate eligibility is determined by the municipality or Region — not by Canada Waterproofers.
Reviewed Program information reviewed against official municipal and regional sources on September 9, 2026. Programs, budgets and eligibility can change without notice.
Find your municipality

Current Flood-Protection Programs

Select your municipality below. Where a regional program applies to several cities, we have grouped those municipalities together rather than pretending each city operates a separate rebate.

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Do not start rebate-driven work until you understand your city's rules.

Some programs require pre-approval, a building or plumbing permit, inspections, specific drainage conditions, licensed contractors or photographs before work is covered. Starting too early can make an otherwise eligible project ineligible.

Toronto

Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program

Expanded program effective May 1, 2026.

Active
Home plumbing assessment 80% up to $500
Backwater valve 80% up to $1,600 each
Maximum eligible backwater valves Up to 2 devices
Sump pump 80% up to $2,250
Sump pump battery backup 80% up to $300
Foundation drain / pipe severance & capping 80% up to $400
Maximum subsidy per property Up to $6,650
Important Toronto requirements
  • Eligible residential properties include single-family, duplex, triplex and fourplex homes.
  • Eligible contractors and subcontractors must hold appropriate valid City of Toronto business licences.
  • A permit and inspection are required for eligible backwater-valve installations.
  • Applicants generally have two years after eligible work is completed to apply under the expanded program.
  • Funding is first-come, first-served and subject to annual City funding.
Mississauga

Basement Flooding Prevention Rebate

A separate City of Mississauga flood-prevention program.

Active
Sump pump Up to $6,000
Foundation drain / weeping-tile pipe capping Up to $1,000
Downspout disconnection $125 each / up to $500
Storm lateral backwater valve Up to $1,500
Maximum City rebate Up to $7,500
Important Mississauga requirements
  • As of February 12, 2025, planned prevention work must receive City pre-approval to qualify.
  • Work must be completed by a qualified contractor appropriately licensed in Ontario.
  • Sump-pump eligibility involves specific weeping-tile, capping and drainage requirements.
  • Some work requires a building permit.
  • Final approval must generally be requested within six months after pre-approval.
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There is also a Peel sanitary backwater-valve rebate.

Peel Region separately offers 60% of invoiced eligible costs up to $1,500 for a qualifying backwater valve installed on a sanitary lateral. The Mississauga program's listed backwater valve measure applies to a storm lateral. Confirm your plumbing configuration and program rules before assuming both programs apply.

Brampton • Caledon • Mississauga

Peel Region Sanitary Backwater Valve Rebate

Regional program for qualifying residential properties in Peel.

Active
Sanitary backwater valve 60% up to $1,500
Basic Peel eligibility
  • Valve must be installed at an eligible residential property in Peel Region.
  • The qualifying program applies to valves installed after July 16, 2024.
  • The valve must serve a single dwelling unit.
  • A qualified licensed contractor must install the valve.
  • A local municipal building permit is required before installation.
  • The installation must pass municipal inspection.
  • Limit of one rebate per residence every 10 years.
Oakville • Burlington • Milton • Halton Hills

Halton Region Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidies

Enhanced subsidy amounts approved in 2025.

Active
Weeping-tile disconnection + sump pump installation 100% up to $6,500
Exterior storm-drain disconnection 100% up to $6,500
Downspout disconnection 100% up to $900
Private wastewater lateral lining / repair 50% up to $4,000
Backwater valve installation 50% up to $1,600
Halton eligibility points
  • Property must be located within Halton Region.
  • Home must be connected to Halton's municipal wastewater system.
  • Homes using septic systems are not eligible.
  • Backwater-valve subsidy requires evidence regarding stormwater connections to the wastewater system.
  • A local building permit and successful final inspection are required for qualifying backwater-valve work.
  • Applications are generally required within one year after completion of eligible work.

Important: We do not add every Halton measure together and advertise the resulting number as a guaranteed "$19,500 rebate." Different measures address different plumbing configurations and have separate eligibility requirements.

Hamilton

Protective Plumbing Program

Grant and loan assistance for eligible protective plumbing improvements.

Active
Maximum grant using City pre-qualified contractor conditions Up to $2,000
Backwater valve with contractor outside pre-qualified list Maximum $500
Protective Plumbing loan Up to $2,000
Eligible work may include
  • Backwater-valve installation and assessment.
  • Downspout disconnection.
  • New sump-pump installation when completed in conjunction with a backwater valve.
  • Required work must meet City permit, contractor and inspection requirements.
Markham

Private Plumbing Protection Rebate Program

Program currently extended through April 30, 2027.

Active
Indoor sanitary backwater valve Up to $1,750
Indoor storm backwater valve Up to $1,750
Outdoor sanitary or storm backwater valve Up to $2,000
Weeping-tile disconnection + sump pump Up to $5,000
Weeping tile redirected by gravity Up to $3,000
Storm or sanitary lateral reline / repair Up to $2,500
Richmond Hill

Backwater Valve Subsidy Program

Financial assistance for qualifying backwater-valve installations.

Active
Eligible backwater-valve installation Up to $1,500
Important requirements
  • Single-family, duplex or triplex residential property.
  • Existing homes only.
  • Appropriate licensed plumber or drain contractor required.
  • A City building permit is required before installation.
  • Installation must remain accessible for City inspection.
  • Application must be received within six months after completion.
  • One subsidy per property.
Vaughan

Sanitary Back-Water Valve Subsidy

Assistance toward an approved sanitary back-water valve installation.

Active
Eligible back-water valve costs Up to $750
The City states eligible costs may include
  • Labour.
  • Materials.
  • Permit fees.
  • Taxes.
  • Installation must be completed by a certified plumber.
  • Subsidies are subject to available funding and first-come, first-served availability.
St. Catharines

Flood Alleviation Program — FLAP

Flood-protection assistance for eligible older residential homes.

Active / Expanded response in 2026
Eligible flood-prevention work Up to 90%
Maximum rebate Up to $5,000
Typical eligible protection measures
  • Backwater valves.
  • Weeping-tile disconnection from the sanitary sewer.
  • Reconnection to an appropriate sump-pump system.
  • Program applies to qualifying single-detached and semi-detached homes built before 2012.

Following significant flooding in July and August 2026, the City also announced development of an Emergency FLAP program with substantial additional funding. Check the City's current application instructions before proceeding.

Niagara Falls

Weeping Tile Removal Assistance Program — WRAP

Program aimed at disconnecting foundation drainage from sanitary sewers.

Active
Weeping-tile disconnection + sump pump installation 100% up to $4,000
Backwater-valve installation 100% up to $1,200
Important Niagara Falls requirements
  • Eligible single-family detached or semi-detached homes in the urban area.
  • Property must be connected to the municipal sanitary sewer.
  • Program approval is required before eligible work proceeds.
  • Licensed plumber required.
  • Building permit must be obtained before work starts.
  • Completed work requires City inspection.
  • Funding is generally available once per property and subject to available funds.
London

Basement Flooding Grant Program

Financial assistance for eligible basement-flooding prevention measures.

Active
Grant coverage 90% of eligible cost
Backwater valve Up to $1,800
Weeping-tile disconnection + sump pit / pump Up to $4,000
Additional weeping-tile disconnection Up to $2,400
Sump-pump battery backup with new eligible sump system Up to $1,400
Storm private drain connection Up to $7,000
Storm building sewer Up to $3,000
Important limitation
  • Eligibility is determined by the City based on flooding risk and property conditions.
  • Homeowners must not begin grant-related construction before the City's approval process.
  • Existing sump-pump maintenance, repair and replacement are not generally covered.
  • The program specifically states that conventional waterproofing and crack repair are not funded.
Brantford

Basement Flooding Prevention Grant Program

Existing program currently undergoing updates.

Temporarily Paused

As of September 9, 2026, the City of Brantford states that new applications are not currently being accepted while the program and application requirements are updated.

The City indicates that updates are expected to be completed by September 30, 2026.

Previous / currently published program framework
  • Program historically covered 80% of eligible costs up to an overall maximum of $5,000.
  • Eligible work included backwater valves, new sump systems with battery backup and eligible sewer/drainage measures.
  • These amounts may change when the revised program reopens.
Understand the difference

A Flood-Protection Rebate Is Not Necessarily a Waterproofing Rebate

Municipal programs generally target infrastructure that reduces sewer backup, improper stormwater connections or groundwater entering municipal sewer systems. They do not automatically cover every type of basement leak repair.

Commonly Eligible Measures

  • Backwater-valve installation
  • New sump-pump systems
  • Weeping-tile disconnection
  • Foundation-drain capping
  • Downspout disconnection under qualifying programs
  • Some private sewer lateral repairs
  • Some battery-backup systems

Often Not Covered

  • Exterior foundation waterproofing
  • Interior waterproofing simply because a basement leaks
  • Foundation crack injection or structural crack repair
  • Finished-basement restoration after flooding
  • Landscaping restoration unless specifically permitted
  • DIY labour
  • Routine replacement or maintenance of existing equipment under many programs
Before construction starts

How to Protect Your Rebate Eligibility

Municipal rules differ, but these four steps prevent many of the most common rebate mistakes.

1

Identify the Water Source

Determine whether the problem is groundwater, foundation leakage, surface runoff or sewer backup. Different problems require different systems.

2

Confirm the Program

Review your municipality's current official requirements before authorizing work. Check whether pre-approval is mandatory.

3

Obtain Permits

Where required, secure the building or plumbing permit before installation and arrange any necessary municipal inspection.

4

Keep Documentation

Retain itemized invoices, proof of payment, contractor details, permits, inspection records, photos and municipal approval documents.

Homeowner questions

Basement Flooding Rebate FAQ

How much is the Toronto basement flooding subsidy in 2026?
Toronto's expanded Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program offers up to $6,650 per eligible property. Individual limits include up to $500 for a home plumbing assessment, up to $1,600 each for as many as two eligible backwater valves, up to $2,250 for a sump pump, up to $300 for qualifying battery backup power and up to $400 for eligible pipe severance and capping. Percentage limits and all other program rules still apply.
Does Mississauga offer its own basement flooding rebate?
Yes. The City of Mississauga operates a Basement Flooding Prevention Rebate offering up to $7,500 toward eligible measures. Peel Region separately offers a sanitary backwater-valve rebate of 60% of eligible invoiced cost up to $1,500. The programs cover different plumbing configurations, so homeowners should not assume the maximum amounts can automatically be combined.
What rebate is available in Brampton?
Peel Region currently offers eligible Brampton homeowners a sanitary backwater-valve rebate equal to 60% of eligible invoiced costs, up to $1,500. A local building permit and inspection are among the program requirements.
How much does Halton Region provide?
Halton Region has several separate subsidies. Current published amounts include 100% up to $6,500 for eligible weeping-tile disconnection combined with sump-pump installation, 50% up to $1,600 for an eligible backwater valve, 50% up to $4,000 for eligible wastewater lateral repair, and additional subsidies for qualifying exterior storm-drain and downspout disconnections. Eligibility differs by measure.
Do municipalities rebate exterior basement waterproofing?
Usually not under the flood-protection programs listed on this page. Most municipal programs focus on sewer backup protection, sump systems, weeping-tile disconnection and improper stormwater or wastewater connections. Some programs expressly exclude general waterproofing and foundation crack work.
Do I need a permit for a backwater valve?
Most programs listed here require a municipal building or plumbing permit for an eligible backwater-valve installation, followed by an inspection. Always confirm the exact requirement with the municipality before installation.
Can I install the equipment first and apply afterward?
It depends on the municipality. Some programs allow post-installation applications if all conditions were satisfied, while others such as Mississauga require pre-approval. Niagara Falls and London also use approval processes that should be completed before qualifying work begins. Check first.
Does receiving a rebate guarantee my basement will never flood?
No. Backwater valves, sump pumps and drainage modifications can reduce particular flooding risks, but they cannot eliminate every possible source of water. Foundation leaks, failed drainage, extreme rainfall, plumbing failures, surface runoff and power outages can require separate solutions.
Can Canada Waterproofers guarantee that my rebate will be approved?
No contractor can legitimately guarantee municipal approval. Eligibility, funding availability and final payment are controlled by the municipality or Region. We can assess the proposed work, identify relevant program requirements and provide project documentation associated with work we perform.
Waterproofing • Drainage • Flood Protection

Before You Build Around a Rebate, Make Sure the System Actually Solves the Problem.

A backwater valve will not repair a leaking foundation wall, and a sump pump will not stop sewage from backing up through an unprotected sewer connection. We assess where the water is coming from first, then recommend the appropriate waterproofing, drainage or plumbing solution.

Canada Waterproofers Inc. is not a municipal rebate administrator. Program amounts, eligibility criteria, application deadlines and funding availability are determined by the applicable municipality or Region. Always verify the current official program before authorizing work based on an expected rebate.