Markham Basement Flooding Protection Rebate Program

Heavy rainfalls, melting snow and other harsh weather conditions frequently occur in the province of Ontario and the City of Markham is not an exception. Unfortunately, the drainage system of the city is obsolete and gets easily swamped with a deluge of rain. Most of the time, the amount of stormwater is overwhelming and can not be properly handled by the City’s sewage system. It leads to the damaged roads as well as a huge amount of flooded properties as the result of severe sewer backup and even penetration of the water from foundation walls. After experiencing a high volume of flood events, the City of Markham has invested millions of dollars to improve its drainage systems and reduce the possibility of floods. Moreover, the City has rolled out the Private Plumbing Protection Rebate Program to help homeowners further protect their properties from basement flooding. This rebate program was created to financially support homeowners and cover the cost of certain additional protection measures on their private plumbing system.

Markham Basement Flooding Protection Measures Covered Include:

• Installation of a backwater valve. A backwater valve is a fairly simple but effective device that allows water from sinks, toilets and tubs to flow out of your home and into the municipal sewer system and at the same time prevents backflow of dirty sewage or stormwater into your home during the rainstorms.
• Installation of sump pump and disconnection of weeping tiles. Weeping tiles or foundation drains are pipes installed underground and around your home’s foundation to store up groundwater. Sometimes these pipes may be directly connected to the sanitary sewer systems. It’s recommended to disconnect weeping tiles from the sanitary sewer system and re-connect them to the newly installed sump pump. This upgrade can significantly reduce the risk of basement flooding because of sewer backup.
• Sanitary and Storm Lateral Relining and Repair. Sanitary and storm laterals are a system of underground pipes that transport wastewater or drainage away from the plumbing of your house into the City sewer systems. If these pipes are clogged or damaged by tree roots, grease, objects and other debris, it can cause a sewer backup in your basement.

Who is Eligible for a Markham Basement Flooding Protection Rebate Program?

There are two types of rebates available under this program: retroactive and new installation. It means that home owners who have already completed installation and those who are only planning to add the protection measures to their plumbing systems are covered.

Retroactive Rebate – Property owners in Markham who completed installations between May 1, 2017 and May 1, 2018 are eligible for a retroactive rebate subject to City inspections.

New Installation Rebate – Property owners who completed installations between May 1, 2018 and June 15, 2020 are subject to obtaining building permits and inspection from the City; Property owners who implemented measures or plan to do so between June 15, 2020 and April 30, 2022 are subject to obtaining necessary pre-approval, building permits and inspections from the City. The deadline to obtain the building permit is April 30, 2022. The deadline for submitting the rebate application is July 31, 2022.

Please find the full list of eligibility criteria to receive City rebates and the step-by-step guide on how to apply on The Official Site of The City of Markham or in the PDF brochure.