Whereas the weather events on July 16, 2024 and August 17, 2024 delivered 106 mm and 170 mm of rain, respectively, in parts of the Region of Peel over a very short time period and resulted in thousands of flooded properties, and likely more than a billion dollars in property damage;
And whereas, extreme weather events are anticipated to occur with greater frequency and intensity for the foreseeable future;
And whereas, some property owners who are no longer able to obtain reasonably affordable - or any - flood-related property insurance due to previous claims or geographic location face significant financial hardship and risk in protecting or replacing their property as a result of extreme weather;
And whereas, private property owners can be encouraged through financial incentives to install flood prevention infrastructure in their homes to mitigate the impacts of flood-related disasters;
And whereas, a backwater valve attached to the sanitary sewer system can, in some situations, be an effective measure to mitigate the impacts of weather-related overland flooding;
And whereas, the Region of Peel has established a Sanitary Backwater Valve Rebate Program valued at 100 per cent of the invoiced cost of installation, up to a maximum of $700;
And whereas, the average cost of installation of a backwater valve by a professional plumber in the Greater Toronto Area is approximately $2,500;
And whereas, the eligibility requirements of the current program include a) proof of a flooding incident and b) that a property has not previously received a rebate from a Peel Region basement flooding subsidy program;
And whereas, the average life expectancy of a backwater valve is five to 10 years;
Therefore, be it resolved:
- That the following be applied to the Region of Peel’s Sanitary Backwater Valve Rebate Program:
- The value be changed to 60 per cent of the invoiced cost up to a maximum of $1,500;
- Homeowners who have previously received a rebate from a Peel Region basement flooding subsidy program can be eligible for further rebates after 10 years; and
- That the changes noted above be put into effect retroactively to July 16, 2024 and all eligibility requirements, restrictions, terms and conditions be determined by the Chief Administrative Officer or his designate, in consultation with Legal Services; and
- That, in the unlikely scenario that the new rebate results in a higher expense to the applicant, the current calculation of 100 per cent of the invoiced cost to a maximum of $700 can be used for applications already in process and not beyond December 31, 2024; and
- That the total cost of reimbursements be forwarded to the provincial and federal governments with a request for compensation.