Backwater valve rebate

Normal conditions

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This diagram shows a backwater valve under normal conditions

A sanitary backwater valve is designed to prevent wastewater from backing up into your home and to reduce the risk of sewer water flooding your basement.

Under normal conditions, the backwater valve flap remains open. This allows wastewater from your toilets, shower, and sinks to flow freely from your home to the sewer.

During a sewer backup

The sanitary sewer can become overloaded during intense rainfall or when blockages occur due to improper disposal of items such as flushable wipes, fat, oil and grease.

Learn more about how to avoid clogged pipes.

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This diagram shows a backwater valve during a sewer backup

If sewer water flows back towards your home, the backwater valve will automatically close. This flap acts as a physical barrier, closing your home’s main sewer line and blocking the backflow of wastewater to your home.

When the valve is closed, avoid using any plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, showers, dishwasher, washing machine. Since the flap is closed, water can no longer exit your home, which may cause your basement to flood.

Once the rain or sewer back-up event is over, the backwater valve flap will reopen. You can then safely start using water in your home again.

When installing a backwater valve, consider a model with an alarm to alert you when the device (flap) is activated.

Refer to this illustration to understand a typical residential home drainage system.

Sanitary backwater valves can be an effective way to stop wastewater from backing up into your basement, but they’re not suitable for all homes.

When planning to install a backwater valve, here are a few things to consider:

• Consult a licensed contractor to understand if installing a backwater valve is right for your property. A licensed contractor is a qualified individual with a valid business license. Peel Region does not provide a list of contractors. You are responsible for selecting a trusted and licensed contractor for the installation.
• Hire a licensed contractor for installation and ensure compliance with building codes. This is not a home improvement project and requires a professional.
• According to the Ontario Building Code, a backwater valve can only be installed on the sanitary pipe (lateral) that serves one dwelling unit. A basement apartment will require its own valve.
• Before installing a sanitary backwater valve, you must apply for a building permit from your local municipality (City of Brampton, City of Mississauga, or the Town of Caledon).
• Once the installation is complete, it must pass the inspection by your local municipal building inspector.
• To keep your backwater valve in good working condition, we recommend you inspect and clean your backwater valve at least once a year or before a forecasted heavy rainfall to reduce the risk of basement flooding.  Refer to this helpful video from the City of Brampton to learn how to maintain your backwater valve in 8 easy steps.
• Backwater valves do not prevent other forms of flooding, such as water entering through windows during heavy rainfall, foundation cracks or weeping tiles. Consult with a licensed contractor to find the best flood prevention options for your home.

For more information on basement flooding, refer to our additional resources.

Beware of false claims by contractors

• Peel Region does not conduct door-to-door sales of any kind and does not sell, partner with or endorse any contractors, products or services.
• Beware of companies that claim to be working on behalf of Peel Region to install basement flood prevention devices like backwater valves.

The eligibility requirements for the Peel Region sanitary backwater valve rebate are:

• A sanitary backwater valve must be installed at a residential property (singles, semis or townhomes) within Peel region after July 16, 2024.
• The applicant must be an individual, not a corporation or other business entity.
• The applicant must consult with a licensed contractor to confirm that a sanitary backwater valve is appropriate for the property.
• A backwater valve must be installed on the sanitary pipe (lateral) that serves only one dwelling unit. Multi-unit dwellings or basement apartments sharing a sewer lateral will not be eligible because installing a backwater valve on these types of dwellings does not meet the Ontario Building Code.
• A sanitary backwater valve must be installed by a qualified and licensed contractor.
• The applicant must get a sanitary backwater valve building permit from their municipality (City of Brampton, City of Mississauga, or Town of Caledon).
• Once a sanitary backwater valve is installed, it must pass the inspection by a municipal building inspector.
• There is a limit of one sanitary backwater valve rebate per residence every 10 years.
• The applicant must review and agree to the complete Terms and Conditions of the rebate program.
• It is strongly recommended that all downspouts be disconnected from Peel Region's sanitary sewer system to reduce the risk of basement flooding. If the applicant chooses not to disconnect downspouts on their property, the applicant must sign the Acknowledgement and Release Form.
• The applicant must submit all required documentation with the rebate application.

Peel Region may deny any rebate application that does not meet the eligibility requirements.

If you have questions regarding eligibility or if you installed a backwater valve before July 16, 2024, email us or call 905-791-7800  ext. 4409.

To help reduce the cost of installing a sanitary backwater valve (BWV), Peel Region offers a 60% rebate on the invoiced amount, up to a maximum of $1,500 (including tax).

The Peel Region rebate is only applicable to a backwater valve connected to the sanitary lateral.

Contact a licensed contractor of your choice to learn if your backwater valve is connected to your sanitary or storm lateral.

Application steps

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1. Before installing a sanitary backwater valve, apply for a building permit from your local municipality:

• City of Brampton backwater valve building permit
• City of Mississauga backwater valve building permit
• Town of Caledon backwater valve building permit

2. Once your backwater valve is installed, get a building permit inspection approval from a municipal inspector.

3. Complete and submit your sanitary backwater valve rebate application form and supporting documents only after you have installed the valve and passed the inspection. Review the checklist included in Section B of the application form to ensure you have completed all application steps and are submitting all required documents.

Here are 3 options for submitting the rebate application:

• Email: Download, complete, and save the rebate application form (PDF). Email us your completed form along with all the required documents.
• Scan and email: Print and complete a hard copy of the rebate application form. Scan the completed application form and all other required documents, and email them to us.
• Mail-in:  Print and complete a hard copy of the rebate application form. Mail the completed application and all required documents to:
  Backwater Valve Rebate Program
  2 Copper Road
  Brampton, ON L6T 4W5
   

Next steps

• Your application will be reviewed and processed within 5 business days of receipt.
• Once approved, a cheque will be mailed to you within 4 to 6 weeks.

Complete the rebate application form.

If you live in the City of Mississauga and are connecting your backwater valve to the storm lateral, you can apply for a basement flooding prevention rebate.

These resources can help you learn about flood prevention measures and make an informed decision about installing a sanitary backwater valve.

Websites:

• Peel's residential guide to flood prevention and recovery
• Disconnecting a downspout connected to your home
• Reduce the risk of basement flooding - Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)

Videos:

• Reducing your risk of basement flooding
• Narrated illustrations on basement flooding
• How to maintain a sanitary backwater valve - Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)
• 8 easy steps to maintain a sanitary backwater valve - City of Brampton
• How underground plumbing is set up

Mississauga flood rebate program

If you are planning upgrades to prevent basement flooding, the City of Mississauga's basement flooding prevention rebate can cover up to $7,500 of your installation costs.