Backwater Valve Grants and Basement Flooding Subsidies in Niagara, Hamilton and Burlington
Several municipalities between Fort Erie and Burlington provide grants or subsidies to help homeowners install backwater valves and complete related basement-flooding prevention work.
A backwater valve is installed in the main building drain and is designed to close when sewage begins flowing backward from the municipal sewer. While a backwater valve cannot prevent every type of basement flooding, it can substantially reduce the risk of sewage backing up through basement plumbing fixtures and floor drains.
Grant amounts, eligibility requirements and available funding can change. Homeowners should contact the municipality and obtain approval before beginning any work.
Last updated: July 29, 2026.
Fort Erie — Extraneous Flow Reduction Subsidy Program
Approximate maximum assistance: Up to $4,500
The Town of Fort Erie’s Extraneous Flow Reduction Subsidy Program may provide financial assistance to homeowners completing approved work intended to reduce groundwater or stormwater entering the sanitary sewer system.
Eligible work may include:
- Installation of an approved sanitary sewer lateral backwater valve
- Installation of a sump basin, sump pump and discharge piping when disconnecting foundation drainage or weeping tiles from the sanitary sewer
- Disconnection of downspouts or sump pumps that discharge into the sanitary sewer
- Repair or replacement of a private sanitary sewer lateral where defects are contributing groundwater to the sewer system
The Town requires an inspection to determine whether the property and proposed work qualify. Homeowners should contact Fort Erie Infrastructure Services, Water and Wastewater Division, at 905-871-1600, extension 2466, before hiring a contractor or beginning any work.
The Town’s published application identifies a maximum total funding allocation of $4,500. Because the application containing this amount is dated January 2018, homeowners should confirm the current funding limit and program availability directly with the Town.
Official Fort Erie program and contact page:
https://www.forterie.ca/build-and-invest/building-and-renovating/building-permit-applications/
Look under “Additional Applications and Supplemental Forms” and then “Extraneous Flow.”
Official 2025 Fort Erie Wastewater Annual Report confirming the program remains active:
https://www.forterie.ca/media/nhudgenc/2025-wastewater-annual-report.pdf
Port Colborne — Sewer Disconnect and Backflow Prevention Grant
Backwater-valve grant: Up to $1,000
Sewer-disconnection grant: Up to $2,500
Maximum combined assistance: Up to $3,500
Port Colborne will reimburse up to 100% of eligible backwater-valve installation costs, including permit fees, to a maximum of $1,000.
Additional funding of up to $2,500 may be available for disconnecting weeping tiles, downspouts or sump pumps from the sanitary sewer. Homeowners may apply for one or both programs.
Approval is required before work begins, and the work must be completed by an authorized contractor.
Official program information:
https://www.portcolborne.ca/en/sewer-disconnect-and-backflow-prevention-grant.aspx
Welland — Sewage Water Alleviation Program
Backwater-valve grant: Up to $1,500
Stormwater-disconnection funding: Up to $6,000
Maximum combined assistance: Up to $7,500
Welland’s Sewage Water Alleviation Program, commonly called SWAP, provides funding for flood-prevention plumbing improvements.
The program may provide up to $1,500 toward the installation of a normally open mainline backwater valve. An additional $6,000 may be available for eligible work such as:
- Disconnecting weeping tiles from the sanitary sewer
- Installing a sump pit and sump pump
- Disconnecting downspouts or other stormwater sources
- Installing a cleanout
- Replacing eligible clay sewer laterals
- Completing necessary excavation and floor restoration
Official program information:
https://www.welland.ca/building/SWAP.asp
Niagara Falls — Weeping Tile Removal Assistance Program
Backwater-valve rebate: Up to $1,200
Weeping-tile and sump-pump rebate: Up to $4,000
Niagara Falls’ Weeping Tile Removal Assistance Program, commonly called WRAP, provides eligible homeowners with up to 100% of the cost of installing a backwater valve, to a maximum of $1,200 including taxes.
A separate rebate of up to $4,000 may be available for disconnecting weeping tiles from the sanitary sewer and installing a sump-pump system.
Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to the City’s available budget. The property must normally be a single-detached or semi-detached home connected to the municipal sanitary sewer system.
The homeowner must apply and receive approval before work begins.
Official program information:
https://niagarafalls.ca/property-home-and-environment/water-and-sewer-services/weeping-tile-removal-assistance-program/
St. Catharines — Flood Alleviation Program
Grant amount: Up to 90% of eligible costs
Maximum grant: $5,000 per residential property
St. Catharines’ Flood Alleviation Program, commonly called FLAP, assists homeowners with the cost of approved basement-flooding prevention work.
Eligible measures may include:
- Normally open mainline backwater valves
- Sump pits and primary sump pumps
- Battery-powered or water-powered backup pumps
- Weeping-tile disconnection or redirection
- Sump-pump discharge piping
- Installation work required for approved devices
The program generally applies to qualifying detached and semi-detached residential properties constructed before 2012.
An application and municipal assessment must be completed before construction or installation work begins.
Official program information:
https://www.stcatharines.ca/water-utilities-and-services/flood-alleviation-program-flap/
Lincoln — Sanitary Backwater Valve Pilot Subsidy Program
Grant amount: Up to 75% of installation costs
Plumbing permit: Up to 100% of the permit fee
Maximum combined assistance: Up to $1,400
The Town of Lincoln’s pilot program helps eligible homeowners install a sanitary backwater valve.
A pre-installation inspection is required. Properties with foundation drains, sump pumps or downspouts improperly connected to the sanitary sewer may not qualify until those connections are corrected.
Funding is limited and is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one subsidy is available per property.
Official program information:
https://www.lincoln.ca/Sanitary-Backwater-Valve-Pilot-Subsidy-Program
Hamilton — Protective Plumbing Program
Maximum grant: Up to $2,000
The City of Hamilton offers qualifying owners of single-family residential properties financial assistance for protective plumbing work.
Eligible work may include:
- Backwater-valve installation
- Sump-pit and sump-pump installation
- Disconnection of downspouts or foundation drains
- Other approved flood-protection plumbing improvements
The available amount depends on the approved work. Where a new sump pit, sump pump and backwater valve are installed together, the total grant may be as much as $2,000.
Homeowners should apply and confirm eligibility before hiring a contractor or beginning the installation.
Official program information:
https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/home-property/basement-flooding/protective-plumbing-program
Burlington — Halton Region Backwater Valve Installation Subsidy
Grant amount: 50% of eligible costs
Maximum backwater-valve subsidy: Up to $1,600
Burlington homeowners may qualify for Halton Region’s Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy Program.
The backwater-valve portion covers 50% of eligible contractor labour and material costs, up to a maximum of $1,600.
To qualify, the property must be located in Halton Region, connected to the municipal wastewater system and meet the program’s drainage requirements. Exterior backwater valves are not eligible.
Halton Region also offers separate subsidies that may include:
- Up to $6,500 for weeping-tile disconnection and sump-pump installation
- Up to $6,500 for exterior storm-drain disconnection
- Up to $4,000 for wastewater-lateral lining or repair
- Up to $900 for downspout disconnection
Official backwater-valve subsidy information:
https://www.halton.ca/for-residents/water-and-wastewater-services/basement-flooding/flood-preparedness-and-reducing-your-risk/backwater-valve-installation-subsidy
Burlington — Plumbing Permit Fee Grant Program
Grant value: The applicable plumbing permit fee is waived.
In addition to Halton Region’s subsidy, the City of Burlington covers the plumbing-permit fee for eligible flood-prevention work, including:
- Installing a backwater valve
- Installing a sump pump
- Repairing or replacing a sanitary line when a backwater valve is also installed
The permit must still be obtained, but the applicable permit fee is not charged.
Official program information:
https://www.burlington.ca/en/building-and-renovating/home-flood-prevention.aspx
Municipalities Without a Current Program Identified
At the time this information was reviewed, no current official homeowner backwater-valve subsidy page was identified for:
- Grimsby
- Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Pelham
- Thorold
- Wainfleet
- West Lincoln
Homeowners in these municipalities should contact their local building or wastewater department because programs may be introduced, discontinued or temporarily funded without immediately appearing in general online searches.
Important Information Before Starting Work
Do not install a backwater valve or begin related construction until you have reviewed the applicable program requirements.
Many municipal programs require:
- An application before work begins
- A pre-installation inspection
- A plumbing or building permit
- Installation by a licensed plumber
- Approved backwater-valve models
- Disconnection of foundation drains or other stormwater sources from the sanitary sewer
- A final inspection
- Paid invoices and proof of payment
Completing the work before receiving municipal approval may make the property ineligible for reimbursement.
Disclaimer
Grant amounts, eligibility requirements and available funding may change without notice. Information on this page is provided as a general reference and does not guarantee that a property or proposed installation will qualify.
Always contact the municipality directly and obtain written approval before hiring a contractor or beginning any work.
