Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – July 22, 2024 – What is the City and Council doing to help the Burlington community bounce back from the July 15/16 flood?
Welcome to the Mayor’s Monday Mailbag, an initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office launched to share weekly answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.
At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.
Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – July 22, 2024
Q: What is the City and Council doing to help the Burlington community bounce back from the July 15/16 flood?
Last week was incredibly challenging for the Burlington community. Residents from areas across Burlington invited me into their homes to see the damage to their properties firsthand. My heart continues to go out to everyone working through this. As of today, 809 homes in Burlington have reported flooding to Halton Region 311.
The impact of this devastation continues to be felt this week and will likely persist for weeks to come as we navigate the aftermath and work on getting residents back into their homes.
I’m getting questions about where we go from here. I want to emphasize that while the storm has passed, the conversation is not over. Discussions on initial recovery planning have begun with Halton Region, and Emergency Management Ontario. I’m continuing to work with Council, City staff, and even some residents directly on finding solutions to the aftermath of last week’s storm, and it remains my number one priority.
At the Special Council Meeting on Friday, July 19, Council confirmed the supports we can offer Burlington residents now. Please see important recovery and prevention support below:
Recovery Support
Halton Region has announced a $1,000 Ex Gratia Grant for Public Sewer Backup, which can help eligible residents to offset the cost of an insurance deductible or help with flooding-related costs that are not otherwise covered under their home insurance policy.
The City of Burlington has also announced an Ex Gratia Grant, which will provide $1,000 to residents with confirmed residential flooding that are not eligible for the Halton Region Ex Gratia Grant for Public Sewer Backup.
To be assessed for eligibility for the applicable grant, residents must report home flooding to Halton Region at 311. If this has not already been done, it must be done immediately.
Halton Region is contacting property owners impacted by flooding about enhanced waste pick-up arrangements.
The City is helping flooded homeowners by lifting the timed parking restrictions for parking on residential streets until Aug. 31, 2024.
Prevention Support
The City of Burlington offers the following programs:
Home Flood Protection Program helps homeowners reduce their risk of basement flooding and minimize damage if flooding occurs. Eligible homeowners receive up to 50% of the cost of an in-person or remote assessment, with up to 20 subsidized assessments available each year.
Plumbing Permit Fee Grant Program covers the cost of a building permit for specific improvements done in homes or businesses to reduce the risk of basement flooding, including installation of backwater valves, disconnection of foundation drains from the sewer system, and the installation of sump pumps.
Halton Region offers an Enhanced Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy Program, with the following subsidies:
Downspout Disconnection: 100% of all eligible costs to disconnect downspouts from the weeping tile, up to a maximum of $500.
Weeping Tile Disconnection and Sump Pump Installation: 100% of the combined eligible costs to disconnect weeping tiles and install a sump pump, up to a maximum of $5,000.
Backwater Valve Installation: 50% of the eligible costs to install a backwater valve inside the home, up to a maximum of $675.
Sewer Lateral (pipe) Lining and Repair: 50% of the eligible costs to repair or line the sewer lateral (pipe), up to a maximum of $2,000
Residents can visit halton.ca/flood, call 311, or email accesshalton@halton.ca to find program details and instructions on how to apply for a subsidy.
Important Contact Information
Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca to report flooding or clean up needed on roads or public property. A crew will investigate and fix or clean the area if needed. In-person customer service at City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call Halton Region at 311 to report any flooding inside your home.
If you were unable to tune in, you can watch a recording of the meeting here: events.burlington.ca/meetings
Key Investments
One of the most frequently asked questions I’ve been receiving as well has to do with the City and Region’s responsibility in managing water and wastewater, as well as investments in stormwater infrastructure. The Region is responsible for managing wastewater sewer systems throughout the whole region. Halton Region has invested millions of dollars in optimizing the wastewater sewer system throughout the region. These improvements help ensure that the Region’s wastewater sewer system is more resilient to impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe localized wet weather. To learn about the Region and City programs for flood prevention, visit: burlington.ca/floodprevention
Additionally, the City, in coordination with the Region has invested $20 million in stormwater infrastructure alone. In creeks, we’ve dug deeper and wider to help stabilize the shores. Investments in stormwater infrastructure in our hot spot locations such as Tuck Creek have helped avoid severe damage to nearby properties following heavy rainfall. We also have a dedicated infrastructure levy, which we began allocating funds to in 2005. Dedicated infrastructure levies ensure we have a consistent and reliable source of funding specifically allocated for maintaining and upgrading critical infrastructure. This includes investments in effective stormwater management and flood prevention measures to reduce the risk of contaminating natural water bodies, and damaging properties.
The total amount of funding set aside by the infrastructure levy between 2005 and 2024 is $286.9 million. In 2024, our infrastructure levy generated $36.6 million to the capital program.
I want the Burlington community to know that the aftermath of this storm remains top of mind for myself, members of Council and City staff. As always, you can reach out to me directly with questions or concerns at mayor@burlington.ca