Flood recovery

Halton Region Residential Basement Flooding Grant

Halton Region offers a compassionate Residential Basement Flooding Grant of $1,000 to assist eligible property owners and tenants who have experienced basement flooding due to a storm-induced wastewater system surcharge during a severe weather event, or a blockage (e.g., foreign debris and material) which occurred on the regional side of the wastewater system.

Applications for the Residential Basement Flooding Grant must be submitted within one year of your basement flooding incident which must have been reported to Halton Region.

How to apply for a grant

Eligibility requirements

• The applicant must be an individual, not a corporation or business entity.
• The applicant must be a registered owner or tenant of a residential dwelling within Halton Region that is connected to the wastewater system (not on a septic system).
• In order to apply for the grant you must have reported the flooding to Halton Region first:
  • If residential basement flooding occurred during an extreme rainfall event: please have your Report a Flood Inquiry Number or Work Order Number available. If you have not reported a flood, report now.
  • If flooding occurred during dry weather: please call 311 and Halton Region will advise on next steps to apply for the grant.

Application requirements

If you have all the information noted above, please proceed to the Residential Basement Flooding Grant Application Form. If you would prefer a paper copy of the form to submit by email, mail or in person, please call 311.

Terms and conditions of the Residential Basement Flooding Grant Program

In consideration of applying for and receiving a compassionate grant under the Residential Basement Flooding Grant Program from the Region, the Owner/Tenant acknowledges and agrees to the following:

1. The Residential Basement Flooding Grant Program is based on compassionate grounds and is not considered an admission of liability. The Region does not believe that any such occurrence was due to any negligence or lack of care on the Region’s part, however, Regional Council has determined that financial assistance should be available to eligible residents who have experienced a basement flooding backup resulting in property damage.
2. Only one registered owner per residential address is eligible to receive a grant.
3. Only one tenant per tenanted unit in an eligible residential dwelling is eligible to receive a grant.
4. Applications for the Residential Basement Flooding Grant must be submitted within one year of your basement flooding incident, which must have been reported to Halton Region.
5. The Region reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or alter the Residential Basement Flooding Grant Program at any time.
6. The Region reserves the right to inspect an applicant’s residential dwelling to verify the information contained, and/or documentation provided, in support of the application, and to conduct any inspections or surveys at the time of the incident or at a later date, as may be deemed appropriate, upon reasonable notice to the applicant. Where access for such an inspection or survey is denied by the applicant, the Region reserves the right to deny the application.
7. The Region reserves the right to deny an application for a grant if it determines that any of the information contained in an application is untrue. The Region reserves the right to pursue all available legal remedies to recover grant funds wrongly paid or fraudulently obtained.
8. The Commissioner of Public Works has the final decision to approve or deny a grant application.

Other assistance

The Ontario Government offers Disaster Recovery Assistance in certain activation areas. Important: If you have received the Provincial Disaster Recovery Assistance, you may not be eligible for the Halton Region Grant. Review the terms and conditions (external link).

Your Local Municipality may also offer assistance. Contact your Local Municipality to find out more.

Clean up and disposal

If you are going to perform your own cleaning, sanitizing and handling of affected items:

• Wear protective clothing such as rubber gloves, protective eyewear, rubber boots and a disposable particulate mask (for example, 3M 8210 or equivalent N95 mask).
• Clean walls, floors and non-porous items (e.g., materials made of plastic) using a solution of household bleach.
• If you begin to notice mould growth anywhere in your home after the flood, it is important to remove the source of moisture and clean the affected area:
  • Wipe or scrub surfaces using a damp cloth and a solution of water and unscented detergent.
  • Sponge with a clean damp cloth.
  • Dry quickly and thoroughly.
  • Once dry, vacuum the cleaned surfaces as well as surrounding surfaces with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuum cleaner.
• Do not consume potentially contaminated food. Throw out these food items that may have been in direct contact with wastewater:
  • Food in boxes, bags, paper and plastic wrap
  • Food and drinks in bottles, plastic containers and jars, including home preserves (the area beneath the lid cannot be properly cleaned and disinfected)
  • Fresh foods such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and eggs
  • For more food safety and disposal information, call 311.
• Dispose of or wash (in a separate load) all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent.
• Remove and discard drywall, insulation, flooring or other porous items (e.g., furniture, rugs, mattresses) that have been in direct contact with wastewater.
• Some belongings, especially those that are contaminated with sewage, or those that cannot be quickly dried and effectively cleaned, may not be salvageable.
• Remove standing water and ventilate the area. Use a de-humidifier, fan or open windows to let fresh air in.

Enhanced Waste Collection Services

• In certain flood events, Halton Region will provide enhanced waste collection services for garbage and bulk materials.
• You will be contacted directly if this service is activated for you.

Frequently asked questions