Winnipeg, MB - With the combination of rain and rising river levels, property owners are advised to protect their homes from basement flooding. Heavy rainstorms that fall over short periods of time can overwhelm city sewer systems. Overloaded sewers can back up through house sewer lines and flow into basements that aren't protected.
Although basement flooding is a risk at any time of the year, the risk increases with high river levels because the sewer system must then rely heavily on pumping stations rather than gravity to carry the rainfall runoff.
Homeowners are reminded about the Basement Flood Protection Subsidy Program. The program was launched by the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg in 2011 to help homeowners protect their basements from flooding caused by overloaded sewers during severe weather (e.g., heavy rain, high river levels).
There is about $2.75 million remaining in the $3 million in funding for the 2013 program. Homeowners can apply for a subsidy of 60% of the invoiced cost, up to a maximum subsidized amount of:
- $1,000 for installing an in-line backwater valve only,
- $2,000 for installing a sump pit drainage system only,
- $3,000 for installing both an in-line backwater valve and a sump pit drainage system.
With the combined 2011 and 2012 programs, $4 million in subsidy funding has provided 2,100 Winnipeg homes with improved basement protection.
More information on basement flood protection and the Basement Flood Protection Subsidy Program is available on the following web pages:
Protect Your Home from Basement Flooding
winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/drainageFlooding/basementFlooding.stm
Basement Flood Protection Subsidy Program
winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/drainageFlooding/basementFloodingProtectionSubsidyProgram.stm