St. Catharines backwater valve rebate eligibility: the FLAP guide.

Program rule card

Per City of St. Catharines Council Report EFES/FMS-125-2026 and the City's basement-flooding page, current as of 2026-08-24 (the FLAP's own dedicated page has since been taken down):

Source: City of St. Catharines Council Report EFES/FMS-125-2026 (PDF) and the City's basement-flooding summary page. The FLAP's own dedicated page has been removed from the City's website as of 2026-08-24 (the City's own "www.stcatharines.ca/FLAP" shortcut is also currently broken). The program's stated maximum is $5,000 / 90%, subject to the city's review of each application. These are the FLAP's stated eligibility criteria: built before 2012 (with the property type above, which includes quadplexes), no work before approval, located within City limits, a Plumbing Only permit, and work completed by a plumber licensed in St. Catharines.

A second, new program: the Emergency Flood Alleviation Program (Emergency FLAP)

Following three 100-year rainstorms between July 21 and August 2, 2026 (more than 300 mm of rain, a declared state of emergency, thousands of residents affected across the city), St. Catharines launched a second, distinct rebate program on August 14, 2026: the Emergency Flood Alleviation Program (Emergency FLAP). This is separate from the regular FLAP described above. The cap and coverage rate are the same, but the eligibility conditions and funding status are not.

See the City's own page for the current status: stcatharines.ca/water-utilities-and-services/emergency-flood-alleviation-program. Because Council has not yet voted on funding, this section is more likely to change than the rest of this page. Check the City's page directly before relying on it.

Backwater valve rebate eligibility in St. Catharines

The FLAP covers flood-protection work including backwater valve installation. Eligibility for the St. Catharines backwater valve rebate, per Council Report EFES/FMS-125-2026 (verified 2026-08-24):

• You are the registered owner of the property.
• The property is a single-detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex, or quadplex built before 2012.
• The property is located within City limits.
• Work must not begin before the application is approved.
• All work is completed under a valid City Plumbing Only permit, by a plumber licensed in St. Catharines.

Rejection-proof checklist for the St. Catharines FLAP

An administratively sound FLAP application, based on the program design and the mandatory approval sequence, per Council Report EFES/FMS-125-2026 (verified 2026-08-24):

• Step 1: Apply for approval first. Contact the City of St. Catharines Water Utilities and submit the FLAP application before any work is arranged or scheduled.
• Step 2: Complete the contractor-led assessment and wait for approval. Under the Emergency FLAP process now in effect, your own contractor completes the initial assessment (a reimbursable cost) rather than a free City on-site visit or City CCTV inspection. Do not book further work or begin installation until the City has approved the application.
• Step 3: Proceed with approved work under a valid City Plumbing Only permit, completed by a plumber licensed in St. Catharines. The Program Coordinator opens a Plumbing Only permit once the application is approved; all approved work must be completed under that permit by a plumber licensed in St. Catharines.
• Weeping tile disconnected to a sump pit. All weeping tile connections to the sanitary lateral must be disconnected and redirected to a sump pit. A standalone sump pump installation on its own does not qualify.
• Final invoice. Provide a copy of the final invoice to the Program Coordinator.
• Plumbing inspection passed and permit closed. All final work must pass a plumbing inspection, and the permit must be closed before any funds can be issued.
• Proof of ownership. Current property tax bill or land transfer documents.
• Submit the final claim to the City of St. Catharines Water Utilities with all supporting documents. Files close after six months of inactivity, and rebate cheques are mailed 4-6 weeks after the permit closes.

Where to apply

The FLAP's own dedicated application page has been taken down. The City's basement-flooding page and Council Report EFES/FMS-125-2026 (PDF) have the current program details; contact the Water Utilities office directly for application forms and status.

Verify the current rules, application form, and any deadline directly with the City before applying. Program details may have changed since this guide was last verified (2026-08-24).

See the Toronto subsidy page if your property is in Toronto, the Niagara Falls WRAP page if your property is in Niagara Falls, or the Welland SWAP page if your property is in Welland.