Property owners reminded of increased risk of basement flooding

Released: May 29, 2013 at 1:03 p.m.
Sewer system vulnerable with high river levels and rain

Winnipeg, MB - With rain in the forecast over the next few days, there is an increased risk of overloaded sewers backing up through house sewer lines and flowing into basements that aren’t protected.

The Red River is at 16.2 feet James Avenue, or almost 10 feet above normal summer water levels. 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 temporary pumps and pumping stations rather than gravity to discharge the rainfall runoff to our rivers.

The sewer system also becomes overloaded when there are high amounts of rain in short periods (e.g., 30 mm of rain in an hour). Homeowners are reminded to take steps to protect their homes and property.

  1. Arrange for a licensed plumber to install a backwater valve on a sewer line in the basement of your home. This device, if properly installed, automatically closes if sewage backs up from the main sewer.
  2. Install a sump pit drainage system (includes a sump pit, a sump pump and a pump discharge pipe).
  3. Check and maintain your backwater valve and sump pit drainage system regularly to make sure they are functioning properly.
  4. Build up the ground around your house so that water flows away from your basement walls and window wells.
  5. Extend downspouts so that water flows away from your home or building.

It is against the law to drain sump pump water into the basement floor drain or any other part of the house plumbing system, as it can overtax the sewer system and cause basement flooding and damage.

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 $2.55 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.

More information 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

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