The Greater Sudbury Operations Committee has approved a program amendment that will extend eligibility for a municipal preventative plumbing subsidy to all local residential property owners. The subsidy was previously limited to properties within identified flood prone areas. Citywide eligibility is subject to the approval of Greater Sudbury Council before it can be offered to residents.

“Correctly installed and maintained sump pumps and backwater valves can help prevent sewage backups and will help reduce the amount of rainwater entering the sanitary sewer system,” said Director of Water and Wastewater Services Nick Benkovich. “It’s important for all residents to disconnect downspouts, weeping tiles and sump pumps from municipal sanitary sewers.”

While direct connections were once an acceptable practice in older buildings, the municipal wastewater treatment system serves more customers today than in the past. Additional water flow from rainwater can exceed the design capacity of sewer pipes and treatment systems, increasing the risk of flooded basements and overflow into the environment.

Should Council approve the program amendment, eligible residential property owners may apply for subsidies covering approximately 50 per cent of the cost to purchase and professionally install a Mainline backwater valve and/or sump pit drainage system, up to a maximum of $1,000 for a backwater valve, $1,250 for a sump pit drainage system or $2,250 for both.

Pending program approval by Greater Sudbury Council, additional information about the City of Greater Sudbury’s preventative plumbing subsidy program will be available on the city’s website and at Citizen Service Centres.