It should be noted that this is an interim measure and that the medium term plan (20-29 years) is to create 25,000 cubic meters of additional storage by digging 3 of the ponds deeper, lowering the normal water levels, lowering sewer segments between Lake Grande to Lake Como and between Lake Laguna to Lake Grande, and lowering (replacing) the outlet structure at Lake Como. The estimated total for this work is $12.3M.
General Measures Homeowners Can Undertake to Address Causes of Flooding
Homeowners are encouraged to address potential causes of flooding on their property. To assist homeowners, council approved a Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program (BFPSP) in 2011. To date, over 7,000 subsidy payments totalling over $15.7 million have been issued. The program remains highly successful.
Subsidies for eligible work are subject to available funding and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The Maximum Eligible Subsidy Limit is $2,800 per Home/Unit. The program covers the:
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Installation of backwater valve(s). (Up to 100 percent of cost, $1,000 maximum)
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Installation of a sump pump with sump pump overflow and disconnect floor drains – (Up to 100 percent of cost, $1,750 maximum)
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Installation of only a sump pump overflow to discharge outside to surface. (Up to 100 percent of cost, $300 maximum)
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Installation of a backwater valve and sump pump with sump pump overflow. (Up to 100 percent of cost, $2,800 maximum)
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Disconnection of foundation drains from the floor drain and/or dye testing and camera work as required. (Up to 100 percent of cost, $400 maximum)
Some other measures that residents can undertake to mitigate future risks of basement flooding include disconnecting downspouts, checking their lot grading and/or installing a rain garden.
Risk Analysis:
Climate Change Adaptation:
Significant rain events are likely to occur again and could lead to further instances of flooding in the City. While there will always be the risk of flooding, the risk can be mitigated by taking steps to reduce the amount of stormwater entering into the sewer system.
The short-term and long-term solutions contained in the $4.9 billion Sewer and Coastal Master Plan identify actions that the City and homeowners can undertake to incrementally reduce the risk of future instances of basement flooding.
Undertaking more investigations into the causes of flooding within the City of Windsor can assist in the process of stopping infiltration into our sanitary sewer system which can reduce the instances of basement flooding. It also reduces the costs of excess storm water entering and being treated at our water reclamation plants.