High Water Levels on Lake St. Clair and Detroit River

• For more information on flood protection from potential overland flooding in the east end of the city due to high water levels on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, visit the City’s Website here.
  
  
• To Prepare Yourself for Shoreline Flooding, click here for more information.
  
  
• For more detailed information, refer to the City’s Emergency Preparedness Guide for information on emergency alerts and evacuation.

**********************************************************

There are three key things to keep in mind throughout the Windsor Sewer Master Plan project and its implementation:

1. Solutions rely on a partnering approach and on a combination of private (homeowner) and public (municipal) improvement measures. These measures are described below.

2. Solutions will not eliminate risk of basement or surface flooding. Protection is key. The best we can do is work to implement both public and private measures that will mitigate the impacts of flooding and prevent water from getting into your home.

3. The plan will require significant investment and take decades to complete.

What Can Homeowners Do?

As a homeowner you can do the following to improve the flood-proofing of your building:

• Make sure your lot drains away from the home rather than towards it.
• Clean your eaves troughs so they don’t overflow.
• Disconnect your downspouts and foundation drains from the sewer.
• Keep your downspouts clean and flowing away from the house.
• Regularly check for and fix cracks/leaks in your foundation, basement walls, and basement windows and doors.
• Install backwater valves to prevent sewage back-up from your floor drains.
• Limit the flow of excess water into the municipal sanitary sewers by reducing overall water usage.

Comparison of Connected versus Disconnected Downspout

Useful Links for Home owners:

City Flooding Emergency Information Page:

https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/emergencyandcrimeprevention/Emergency-Preparedness/Floods/Pages/Lake-and-River-Flooding.aspx

Intact Centre on Climate Change: Flood Protection Resources to Help Residents Reduce their Basement Flood Risk

https://www.intactcentreclimateadaptation.ca/programs/home_flood_protect/resources/

For more information on how to make your house a “Climate Resilient Home” visit:

https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/environment/climate-change-adaptation/climate-resilient-home/Pages/default.aspx

How the City Can Help:

The City has a number of programs to help homeowners reduce the risk of flooding in their homes:

• Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program (BFP) - Subsidies are available for the installation of a sump pump with sump pump overflow and/or backwater valves and/or disconnect foundation drains from the floor drain. The Maximum Eligible Subsidy Limit is $2,800 per Home/Unit.
  
  
• Downspout Disconnection - Disconnection of your downspout from the sewer system is mandatory within areas bounded by: South of Tecumseh Road East, North of the Canadian Pacific Railway, East of Howard Avenue, and West of Walker Road. The City will complete the disconnection free of charge.
  
  
• Eeling Program - The City will clean out the sewer pipe that goes from your home to the main sewer free of charge up to three times in any 24-month period.
  
  
• Ditch/Drain Maintenance - Property owners are responsible for maintaining roadside ditchs or drains but are encouraged to call 311 immediately if they witness a blockage of a ditch or drain so the City can inspect and maintain the system.
  
  
• Private Sewer Replacement Program – If the sewer pipe that goes from your home to the main sewer needs to be replaced, the City may reimburse you for some of your costs.

Visit the About the Master Plan page for current recommendations for short-term solutions.