Protective Plumbing Program (3P)

Introduction On September 30th Hamilton City Council directed staff to undertake the implementation of a Protective Plumbing Program for residential properties within the City of Hamilton. This direction was in response to the severe storms events experienced in the Hamilton area recently. Council sought to have a program that provides guidance and financial assistance to residential property owners who have experienced flood damage due to sewer surcharge and are proactively making improvements to their homes to prevent a reoccurrence. A later phase of the program will target property owners in areas of the City where there is a history of flooding. It is not the intent of the program to apply to all property owners in Hamilton.

Program Rationale

The City of Hamilton’s Protective Plumbing Program (3P Program) provides financial assistance and guidance to residential property owners respecting improvements to household plumbing in order to protect their properties from basement flooding as a result of sewer surcharging. Property owners undertake improvements to their homes by completing any of the following – installation of backwater valves, sump pump installation in conjunction with a backwater valve, sewer lateral repairs or disconnecting downspouts. Property owners are encouraged to consult an expert before undertaking any of these works to ensure they achieve the protection they seek.

Installation of backwater valves and sump pumps require a building permit and must be completed by plumbers and/or sewer drain contractors licensed to work in the City of Hamilton. Permit and inspection fees for both of which have been waived for this program. Sewer lateral repairs also require a permit and inspection and again these fees are waived. Downspout disconnection will be provided through a pilot program the City is undertaking for the purposes of developing a long term program. Should a property owner desire to disconnect their downspouts immediately please contact the City for further information.

There is a maximum value of funding the City will provide through 3P grants depending on the actual improvements completed and is limited to $2,000. A 3P grant may be applied to backwater valve or sump pump installation in conjuction with backwater valve and/or sewer lateral repair and/or downspout disconnection in certain circumstances. There is an additional $1,500 available for the replacement of sewer laterals affected by roots from a City tree under the existing Sewer Lateral Management Program.

On October 28th City Council approved a report to implement a loan program for eligible costs in excess of these program grants. For more information please review the Loan Application Form.