Sewer Disconnect and Backflow Prevention Grant

A wastewater sewer (also called a sanitary sewer) carries dirty water from sinks, toilets, and showers in homes and businesses. This water goes to treatment plants to be cleaned before it’s released back into the environment.

Knowing the difference between stormwater sewers and wastewater sewers is important because it helps us focus on the right solutions to events like street flooding. Sometimes, storm or groundwater gets into the wastewater system. That’s called inflow and infiltration and it can be a big and expensive problem. The goal of this Grant is to invest in solutions that will reduce the amount of stormwater going into the wastewater sewer system. This ensures that rainwater goes where it should, and wastewater is managed properly to protect our environment and homes from preventable damage.

Figure 1. The differences between storm sewers and wastewater sewers.

1. Protect Your Property: Avoid expensive repairs and cleanup costs from sewage backups in your home.
2. Promote Public Health: Prevent hazardous wastewater from entering your home.
3. Reduce Strain on the Wastewater System: Help keep excess rainwater out of the City’s wastewater system. This reduces the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.
4. Improve System Efficiency: Reduce stress on the City’s sewage infrastructure. This enhances its capacity and longevity.
5. Protect the Environment: Prevent pollutants from entering local water bodies. This preserves water quality and protects marine environments.
6. Comply with Regulations: Help meet regulatory requirements for managing stormwater and wastewater systems, including Bylaw 5528/134/08.
7. Increase Community Resilience: Improve the City’s resilience to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.

 
Learn more about these Programs below.

Did you know? Eligible homeowners can apply for an additional $1,000 for the Sewer Backflow Prevention Program. Learn more below.

Eligible work covered by the Grant (one or more required):

1. Disconnecting pipe connections from the foundation drain/weeping tile to the wastewater system, which aggravates basement flooding.
2. Disconnecting downspouts to prevent direct or indirect discharge to the sanitary sewer.
3. Disconnecting sump pump connections from the wastewater system.

Additional eligible costs:

• Any required building permits.
• Sewer lateral/weeping tile connection inspection by camera or other means.
• Installing a clean-out, if required (one should be present for each household.)
• May also include other reasonable associated restoration costs, such as:
  • Interior finishes (drywall, paint, and finish flooring); and
  • Exterior repairs (landscaping, flowerbeds, seeding, sodding, trees, porches, decks, driveways, sidewalks, concrete, or asphalt reinstatement.)

Sewage backflows happen when wastewater goes the wrong way in plumbing systems, potentially entering spaces where it shouldn't, such as sinks, toilets, or even living areas. This can result from blockages, pipe damage, or sewer system overload. Sewage backflows pose health hazards and require immediate remediation to prevent water damage and contamination.

A backflow prevention device (sometimes called a backflow or backwater valve) is like a safety valve for plumbing. It stops sewage or dirty water from coming back into a building if the sewer system gets backed up. It works by closing off the pipe automatically when water or wastewater tries to flow the wrong way. Backflow prevention devices can help keep homes safe from flooding and minimize health risks caused by sewage backups.

Figure 3. Backflow prevention device (backwater valve) installed in home drainage system to prevent sewage from backing up into home. 

Figure 4. Backflow valve opens to allow wastewater to exit home and enter the wastewater sewer. The flap closes to stop wastewater from entering home.

Did you know? Eligible homeowners can apply for an additional $2,500 for the Sewer Disconnect Program. Learn more above.

Eligible work covered by the Grant (required):

1. Installing a sewage backflow prevention device.
   • Backflow prevention devices must be of a design approved by the City and installed in accordance with the Ontario Building Code, Part 7 and in a manner specified by the Chief Building Official.
2. Building permit fees.

Additional eligible costs:

• Sewer lateral/weeping tile connection inspection by camera or other means.
• Installation of clean-out, if needed (one should be present in each household).
• Associated excavation, saw cutting, backfilling, and basement concrete floor reinstatement are necessary for installing the program elements.
• The program may also include other reasonable associated restoration costs, subject to the approval of City Staff.

All residential property owners who receive a Water/Wastewater bill are eligible to apply for this grant.

Grant approvals are subject to the availability of funding at any given time, as determined by Council. Applications will be processed in chronological order based on the date of receipt of applications.

Homeowners can apply for one or both Programs for a maximum grant of $3,500.

Eligibility criteria

The applicant(s) for the Grant must meet all the following criteria to qualify for the Programs:

• Must be a residential property.
• Must be the owner(s) of the property.
• The names of all owners of the property must be on the grant application.
• The owner(s) must complete all required sections of the application form.
  
• The owner(s) must not have any outstanding taxes or debts owed to the City of Port Colborne at the time the application is processed.
• The home must be an existing home. New homes in the planning stages or under construction are not eligible.
• The backwater valve must be approved as per the Ontario Building Code.
• Labour provided by the homeowner is not eligible for reimbursement under this program.
• All installation work must be carried out by a plumber or drain contractor licensed by the Ontario College of Trades.

Eligible costs

Only the costs associated with installing the private backflow prevention device and/or disconnecting stormwater flows from the wastewater system (excavation, permits, materials, inspections, internal plumbing from point of entry up to the water meter) and back surface restoration (asphalt/gravel patching, topsoil, seeding) are eligible, as approved and determined by City Staff.

Ineligible costs

The Grant will not be available to cover any other associated costs (e.g., it will not cover the costs of relocating internal plumbing past the existing water meter, repaving of an entire driveway, restoration of landscaped yards, or any other such costs that are deemed by City Staff to be unnecessary for the replacement of the owner’s private service).

Any work that is started or completed prior to the application approval will be ineligible for the Grant under these Programs (unless waived at the discretion of City Staff).

All Grant approvals will be valid for the current calendar year and will expire if the work is not completed within that period, unless extended at the discretion of City Staff.

What if I’m unable to have the work completed by December 31, 2025?

It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the City to request an extension. Failure to do so will result in automatic expiry.

No. The Grant is not required to be paid back.

To qualify for the Grant, the owner agrees that the City shall not be liable for any damages to the owner’s property as a result of any private instillation of a backflow or disconnect.

• Step 1:  The property owner(s) must contact at least one contractor for a quote to install a backflow prevention device and/or disconnect stormwater flows from wastewater system. It’s recommended that homeowners get multiple quotes to ensure they are paying a fair price.
• Step 2:  Complete the application form, noting which Program(s) is/are being applied for.
• Step 3:  The City will review the application and supporting documentation and assess approvability subject to available budget. The City will advise the applicant in writing of its decision.

If the application is approved:

• Step 4: The owner(s) or their contractor will apply for a building permit through the Building Department. Failure to obtain a permit prior to work starting and having related inspection(s) completed will result in cancellation of any approved grant.
• Step 5:  The contractor must complete the installation of a sewage backflow prevention device or disconnect.
• Step 6:  The contractor must contact the Building Department to have an inspection completed on the new line(s). Any deficiencies must be corrected. Failure to obtain an inspection will result in cancellation of any approved grant.
• Step 7:  Once the Building Inspector has approved the work, the contactor must send an invoice for the work to the property owner.
• Step 8:  The property owner(s) must then submit a copy of the invoice to the Environmental Services Division.
• Step 9:  The Supervisor of Water/Wastewater will review the submitted invoice for approval.
  • This process will consist of the Supervisor of Water/Wastewater comparing the invoice to the approved application form. If there are any invoice charges that are not detailed on the approved application, the Supervisor will evaluate and may approve charges that meet the Program eligibility criteria. The property owner(s) will be notified of any invoice charges that do not meet the eligibility criteria prior to the grant payment being issued.
• Step 10:  Where the applicant is seeking a grant, Financial Services will be notified to issue the grant payment(s) directly to the contractor. The property owner(s) will be responsible for paying the contractor any remaining balance on the invoice.

To get started, apply online or request a hard copy of the application form from City Hall.

Apply Online Here 

Hard Copy Applications

To request a hard copy of the application form, please call our Customer Service Representatives at 905-835-2900, email customerservice@portcolborne.ca, or visit City Hall at 66 Charlotte Street.

Completed hard copy applications can be dropped off or mailed to City Hall.