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Ottawa · City of Ottawa

Basement Flooding Rebate in Ottawa

Backwater valve up to $2,500 · sump pump up to $3,000 for Ottawa homeowners through the City of Ottawa Residential Protective Plumbing Program (RPPP).

Last verified August 2026

Storm season is here. July's storms flooded 1,900+ basements in Ottawa and drenched the GTA. Most Ontario cities pay part of the cost of flood protection — before the next one.

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🚨 Basement flooded right now? Emergency steps first →

Ottawa’s Residential Protective Plumbing Program pays fixed rebates for flood-protection plumbing: $1,000 for an interior backwater valve (sanitary or storm), $2,500 for an exterior storm valve, $1,500 for a sump pump with battery backup in an existing pit — or $3,000 where a new pit must be built — plus 100% of the building permit fee. Unlike percentage-based programs, the City pays the LESSER of your actual cost or the rebate amount, so smaller jobs can be covered in full.

Why Ottawa homes need this

The July 2, 2026 record rainstorm flooded more than 1,900 Ottawa basements in a single day — the city’s worst flooding event in years. Sewer surcharge during extreme rain is exactly what the RPPP devices protect against, and the City raised the rebate amounts in spring 2025 (By-law No. 2025-89) to get more of them installed. Older homes whose foundation drains and laterals predate modern code benefit most.

What the rebate covers

✓Interior sanitary backwater valve — up to $1,000
✓Interior storm backwater valve — up to $1,000
✓Exterior storm backwater valve — up to $2,500
✓Sump pump with battery backup, existing pit — up to $1,500
✓Sump pump with new pit construction — up to $3,000
✓Building permit fee — 100% reimbursed

Combined under the backwater valve up to $2,500 · sump pump up to $3,000 program cap. Per-measure limits may apply — confirm current amounts with City of Ottawa before you start.

Read this before you spend a dollar

Apply and receive the City’s approval BEFORE any work begins — the application needs a licensed plumber’s quote, and the City runs its own review (including a CCTV sewer inspection and site visit) before approving. Work done before approval is not rebated.

Who qualifies

How to apply

  1. 1Submit the RPPP application with proof of ownership and a licensed plumber’s quote.
  2. 2City review: CCTV inspection of your sewer lateral and a site visit.
  3. 3Receive written approval — only then book the installation.
  4. 4Licensed contractor installs the device(s) under a building permit with inspection.
  5. 5Submit the final paperwork (paid invoice, permit, inspection report) — the rebate is typically processed within 8–10 weeks.

A building permit and inspection are required — and unlike most programs, Ottawa reimburses 100% of the permit fee on top of the device rebate.

Free assessment for your Ottawa home

Get connected with a licensed contractor who handles Ottawa flood-prevention rebates — they confirm what you qualify for, the pre-approval, and the paperwork. Free, no obligation.

Request free assessment →

Other rebates you may be able to stack

Compassionate Grant — City of Ottawa ($1,000)

A one-time $1,000 payment for homes flooded by municipal sewer surcharge, available once per property every five years (minimum $1,000 in damage). CRITICAL: you must report the flood to the City by calling 3-1-1 within ONE CALENDAR MONTH of the event — for the July 2, 2026 storm that window is now closing. If you flooded and have not called 311 yet, do it today.

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians (DRAO) — provincial

Activated for parts of Ottawa after the July 2, 2026 storm: up to 90% of eligible costs to a maximum of $250,000, with a $500 deductible (waived for low-income households) and a 120-day application window from activation. Honest caveat: damage from SEWER BACKUP is generally NOT eligible — the main exception is low-income households. Insurance payouts are deducted. Check activation areas on ontario.ca.

Ottawa areas covered

The program applies city-wide. Ottawa neighbourhoods include:

OrléansKanataBarrhavenNepeanGloucesterVanierWestboroAlta VistaStittsvilleRiverside SouthCentretownSandy Hill

Common questions

How much is the Ottawa basement flooding rebate?

The Residential Protective Plumbing Program pays $1,000 for an interior backwater valve (sanitary or storm), $2,500 for an exterior storm valve, $1,500 for a sump pump with battery backup in an existing pit, $3,000 where a new pit is built, plus 100% of the building permit fee. The City pays the lesser of your actual cost or the rebate amount — smaller jobs can be fully covered.

Do I need pre-approval before starting work?

Yes — this is the rule that catches people. The application (with a licensed plumber’s quote) must be submitted and approved before any work begins; the City runs a CCTV sewer inspection and site visit first. Work done before approval is not rebated.

Is my home eligible?

Your property must be served by City of Ottawa sewers, and the home must be built before January 1, 2004 for storm-related work or before January 1, 2012 for sanitary-related work (newer homes were already required to have these devices by code). Replacing an existing device does not qualify.

My basement flooded on July 2 — what money can I get right now?

Three separate streams: (1) the City’s $1,000 Compassionate Grant if the flood came from sewer surcharge — but you must report it via 311 within one calendar month of the event, so act immediately; (2) the provincial DRAO program (up to 90% of costs, max $250,000) for activated areas — though sewer-backup damage is generally excluded except for low-income households; (3) the RPPP rebate to make sure it never happens again — apply before installing anything.

Will the City pay for my flood damage?

Liability claims against the City for storm sewer surcharge rarely succeed. What exists instead: the one-time $1,000 Compassionate Grant (report within one month via 311), provincial DRAO assistance where activated, your own insurance (sewer-backup coverage is an optional endorsement), and the RPPP — which pays for prevention so the next storm does not flood you again.

Other areas

Source: City of Ottawa RPPP (amounts per the By-law No. 2025-89 schedule, announced April 2025), City of Ottawa Compassionate Grant program, and Ontario DRAO materials as reported by CBC Ottawa and City communications after the July 2, 2026 storm. Last verified August 2026. ClaimRebate.ca is independent and not affiliated with the City of Ottawa or the Province of Ontario. Official program page →