Flooding

How Can the Town Help?

If you are expereincing, or suspect a problem withyour sanitary or storm Private drain Connection (PDC) you may contact the Town for assistance identifying the cause. Locate your PDC cover typically found in your front yard at the property line, and the Town will dispatch a crew to camera inspect your connection(s). There is a $113.00 fee for this service. Council has waived the fee for this service until December 2017. Call 519-728-2488
to make an appointment if you would like this serice completed. Any repair costs to pipes on your property, including any exploratory digging required to determine cause, will be paid by the home owner.

Steps to follow for the Backflow Valve Preventer Subsidy

Complete application available on the Town’s website and submit to the Town as per instructions.

Obtain a Building Permit for backwater valve.
Complete and sign waiver. Waiver will have to be submitted with paid invoice in order to receive payment.
Obtain 1 quote from a Licenced plumber (more than one is recommended if possible).
Have backwater valve installed.
Call Building to arrange an inspection prior to the work being covered.The Building Inspector will provide a Final Certificate.
After the work passes inspection, finish project (cover valve).
Submit invoice marked paid to Town for payment along with signed waiver and quote. Finance will confirm the permit has been completed and passed.
Subsidy will be processed for payment. Payment will be mailed to homeowner.

Below are links providing further information on flooding and how the homeowner can reduce or eliminate occurances.

Click here for updated Flood Questions

Basement Flooding Information for Residents

Handbook for Reducing Basement Flooding

Backflow Preventer

CBC Interview with Bill Feltmate of the University of Waterloo

Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation- Helping Canadians Adapt to Extreme Weather

Disaster Assistance through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing investigated the region affected by the 2017 storm event for potential Ministry assistance and has declared assistance will be available to Lakeshore residents. Residents have until January 5, 2018 to apply.

Details on the program and guidelines are on the Ministry's Website.

Application for Essex County Disaster Assistance is here.

Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians Program Guidelines

Flood Defense Strategy Action Plan

In response to the flooding events over the recent past, the Town of Lakeshore has initiated measures to immediately assist and support residents and property owners while also working towards initiatives to minimize the impact to the community from changing climate patterns:

A second round of the Sanitary Backwater Valve Installation program has been authorized and applications are now being accepted by the Town.
Council has waived the private drain connection camera inspection fee until December 31, 2017 which will include residents currently on the list for inspection.
A comprehensive public information session is being coordinated in November 2017 to provide property owners with further insight into basement flood prevention mitigation measures as well as additional information on on-going Town initiatives.
Additional funding is to be allocated in the 2018 Budget for an enhanced Inflow and Infiltration (I & I) program to explore everything possible to minimize the extraneous flow of rain water into Town sanitary systems.
Council has requested a complete review of the Town’s storm water standards to explore opportunities for improvement or enhancement and include funding in the 2018 Budget to undertake a comprehensive Storm Water Master Plan that will review the possibility of enhancing the existing storm sewer systems and storm water management ponds to accommodate the increased storm waters.
An analysis is being undertaken of the identified flood areas impacted by the recent flood events with the goal to bring forward specific recommendations to expedite the implementation of measures to improve the existing storm water management and report on the processes involved.
The Town is investigating the implementation of a mass emergency notification system.
Council has requested the creation of a Flood Task Force committee.
The Town is reviewing the possibility of implementing a downspout disconnection and sump pump replacement subsidy program.

Please contact the Engineering & Infrastructure Services department with any questions at 519-728-2488
.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and at www.lakeshore.ca to keep updated on Town related news and information.

Flood Water

Why do I see water accumulate on some roads during heavy rain events?

Certain systems use large stormwater ponds to retain excessive volumes during extreme peak events. Other locations where stormwater pond sizes are limited, the roadway functions as the storage area. Both types of systems are standard practices and acceptable designs. Residents may be concerned that they see water coming up their driveway but this is not a problem. In some cases, water could accumulated up to a foot based on the severity of the rain event. The waters will subside as the event passes and the outlets clear. If conditions dictate for safety purposes, consideration will be given to temporarily closing roads.

Homes are built with multiple barriers to prevent water from entering them. The home’s sanitary drain should be equipped with a functioning backwater valve in the event the Town’s sanitary sewer system is temporarily surcharged. Any rainwater that lands on a home should be directed away by overland grading. Any stormwater that eventually seeps down into the footing system would be discharged through the sump pump. Sump pits that are inundated with water quickly during a rain eventcould be a sign of a problem with the home’s private internal/external plumbing system and should be addressed by the homeowner immediately.

The backwater valve connects to the sanitary sewer line. Check valves (a type of backflow preventer) can be installed on sump pumps and floor drains to prevent backflow in these areas.

Flooding Resources

Lakeshore is covered by 2 Conservation Agencies:

Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA): www.erca.org
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) : http://www.lowerthames-conservation.on.ca/

Visit or contact the Conservation Authority for your area for Flooding notices and details on the watersheds in your area.

Date edited: 10/19/2017