City of Toronto
Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy
The City of Toronto pays 80% of eligible invoices for backwater valves, sump pumps and weeping tile disconnection, up to $6,650 per property. We do the work to program requirements and prepare the paperwork, so more of that money reaches you.
- Free written estimates
- Permits and rebates handled
- 24/7 emergency service
How the program works
What the Toronto flooding subsidy covers
Toronto's Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program helps homeowners pay for the devices that keep sewer water and groundwater out of their basements. The amounts increased for work completed on or after November 12, 2025, and the City now pays 80% of each eligible invoice up to set limits per item.
We install backwater valves, sump pumps, battery backups and weeping tile disconnections across Toronto, Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough. Every job includes the permit, the inspection and an invoice laid out the way the City asks for it.
| Eligible work | Share paid | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Home plumbing assessment | 80% | $500 |
| Backwater valve | 80% | $1,600 each (up to 2) |
| Sump pump | 80% | $2,250 |
| Battery backup for sump pump | 80% | $300 |
| Weeping tile pipe severance and capping | 80% | $400 |
| Per-property maximum | $6,650 |
Who qualifies
- Single-family homes, semis, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes
- Downspouts disconnected, or an exemption granted by the City
- No outstanding City water or tax arrears on the property
- Backwater valve work needs a City plumbing permit and a passed inspection
- Funding is paid first-come, first-served while program funds last
Documents you need
- Itemized invoices paid in full from a licensed contractor
- Photos of the sump pump installation, where one is claimed
- Proof of the plumbing permit and passed inspection for backwater valves
Timing: Apply within 2 years of completing the work.
Rebate calculator
Estimate your Toronto flooding subsidy
Choose the work you are planning. Add your quote amounts for an exact figure, or leave them blank to see the maximum.
Toronto: maximum subsidy by item
View the data table
| Item | Maximum subsidy |
|---|---|
| Home plumbing assessment | $500 |
| Backwater valve | $1,600 |
| Sump pump | $2,250 |
| Battery backup for sump pump | $300 |
| Weeping tile pipe severance and capping | $400 |
Source: City of Toronto. Verified September 25, 2026.
Share of a typical Toronto flood protection invoice the subsidy covers
The City estimated its subsidy covered 41% of invoiced costs before the increase, rising to about 53% after it. The average subsidy paid from 2007 to 2025 was $1,447.
View the data table
| Period | Share of invoice covered |
|---|---|
| Before the 2026 increase | 41% |
| After the 2026 increase | 53% |
Source: City of Toronto staff report 2025.IE25.3. Verified September 25, 2026.
What a $3,800 backwater valve invoice costs you after the rebate
$3,800 is the average backwater valve installation cost reported by the City of Toronto. Your quote may be higher or lower.
View the data table
| Program | Invoice | Subsidy | Your cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto flooding subsidy | $3,800 | $1,600 | $2,200 |
| Peel backwater valve rebate | $3,800 | $1,500 | $2,300 |
| Halton flooding subsidy | $3,800 | $1,600 | $2,200 |
Source: City of Toronto staff report 2025.IE25.3. Verified September 25, 2026.
Toronto flooding subsidy milestones
View the data table
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Jan 2014 | Per-property maximum rises from $3,200 to $3,400 |
| Jul to Aug 2024 | More than 1,000 Toronto properties report basement flooding |
| Jul 2025 | City reports 59,173 applications and $85.6 million paid from 2007 onward |
| Nov 12, 2025 | Work completed from this date qualifies for the new amounts |
| May 1, 2026 | Expanded program: 80% of invoices, up to $6,650, with 2 years to apply |
Source: City of Toronto. Verified September 25, 2026.
How we help
How we prepare your Toronto flooding subsidy application
- Step 1
Plumbing assessment
We assess how water reaches your basement and camera the sewer line. The City subsidizes 80% of the assessment, up to $500.
- Step 2
Downspouts checked
The City requires downspouts to be disconnected, or an exemption granted. We check yours and disconnect them if needed.
- Step 3
Permit and inspection
Backwater valves need a City plumbing permit and a passed inspection. We pull the permit and book the inspection.
- Step 4
Application-ready documents
You receive a paid, itemized invoice, photos of the sump pump installation and permit proof, ready to submit.
Services
Work this program helps pay for
Backwater Valve Installation
Stop sewer water from backing into your basement.
Learn moreSump Pump Installation
Pits, pumps and discharge lines sized for your home.
Learn moreBattery Backup Sump Pump
Keep pumping when the power goes out in a storm.
Learn moreWeeping Tile Disconnection and Replacement
Redirect foundation drainage away from the sewer.
Learn moreFAQ
Toronto flooding subsidy questions
Straight answers to the questions homeowners ask us most. If yours is not here, give us a call.
How much does the Toronto basement flooding subsidy pay?
The City pays 80% of eligible invoices, up to $500 for an assessment, $1,600 per backwater valve for up to two valves, $2,250 for a sump pump, $300 for a battery backup and $400 for pipe severance and capping. The maximum is $6,650 per property.
How long do I have to apply?
Under the expanded program, you have two years from completing the work to apply. Funding is paid first-come, first-served while program funds last, so applying promptly is sensible.
Do my downspouts need to be disconnected?
Yes. The City requires downspouts to be disconnected, or an exemption granted, before it pays the subsidy.
Who can apply?
Owners of single-family homes, semis, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in Toronto, with no outstanding City water or tax arrears on the property.
Can I get the subsidy for work done before November 12, 2025?
The new amounts apply to work completed on or after November 12, 2025. Earlier work falls under the previous program rules. Check with the City for your situation.
Let us work out your rebate
Book a free estimate. We will confirm you qualify, quote the work and show your rebate and your cost after it, in writing.