Utilities Kingston offers financial assistance to help prevent basement flooding

Aug 11, 2023

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Utilities Kingston is again offering the Preventative Plumbing Program. The program provides financial assistance to homeowners who are considering undertaking work in their own homes to reduce the risk of sewage backup.

According to a release from the City of Kingston, this initiative, together with the Flood Facts public education campaign, helps residents adopt preventative measures and provide financial assistance for upgrades that will reduce the likelihood of sewage backups and basement flooding in their neighbourhoods.

"Every neighbourhood is at risk of basement flooding, even if it's never happened before. That's why we’re pleased to resume this education and financial assistance program," said Jim Miller, Chief Operating Officer of Utilities Kingston.

Homeowners may be eligible for up to $3,000 through Utilities Kingston's 2022 Preventative Plumbing Program, according to the release. The funds may be used to install sump pumps, backwater sanitary valves and other eligible measures, including disconnecting illegal plumbing connections.

The City said that participants benefit from a free, in-home visit where Utilities Kingston staff provide advice to reduce the risk of basement flooding.

Interested? Go online to find details and an easy-to-use?online application, email, or call 613-546-0000.

Did you know? Since the Preventative Plumbing Program began in 2012, $4.3 million in financial assistance has helped nearly 2,400 Kingston homeowners, according to the release. The City said that this includes the removal of more than 250 illegal connections to the sanitary sewer.

The Flood Facts public education campaign consists of a comprehensive information package (available online), as well as traditional and social media publications that offer residents a series of 18 "Flood Facts" that explain how to reduce the likelihood of sewer back-ups in any neighbourhood, according to the release. These include the following:

See Utilities Kingston's Flood Facts for more tips to help reduce the risk of basement flooding.

For more information, call 613-546-0000, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit www.UtilitiesKingston.com