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Taking Action - Wastewater (Sewage) Backups in Homes

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Page Summary

Learn what to do when you are faced with a wastewater backup in your home. 

Report flooding to Halton Region

Important reminder: Before you clean up your home, make sure to call 311 or email accesshalton@halton.ca to report the flooding regardless of the source, report the damage to your insurance provider and take photos. Halton Public Works staff are working as quickly as possible to follow-up with residents impacted by flooding in the home. All inquires will be processed.

Find steps to take to recover and prevent flooding in your home below.

What to do if wastewater backs up in your home

Both you and Halton Region own the sewer pipes that come to your home.

  • The Region owns from the sewermain on the street to your property line.
  • You own from the property line into your home.

Regardless of the source of the blockage, use the following procedure to get help.

Step 1: Contact Halton Region

Contact Halton Region immediately by calling 311 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
  • Public Works staff will review the property history, and contact you directly to discuss the situation.
  • If necessary, staff will arrange for an external contractor typically provided by Enbridge Gas to investigate.
  • The contractor will conduct a Sewer Safety Inspection (SSI) to ensure the natural gas line does not cross through the sewer line. The SSI also helps determine the location of the sewer blockage.
Halton Public Works staff will follow up to:
  • assess the issue;
  • clear any identified blockages located on the Region’s (municipal) side of the wastewater sewer system; and
  • If the blockage is on the private (residential) side of the property, you will be directed to contact a private plumber.

Step 2: Contact your insurance provider

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Report property damage caused by the flooding.
  • Discuss your coverage with your home insurance provider (e.g., emergency clean up services, repairs and replacement coverage).
  • Keep receipts for all expenses that you incur for your insurers’ use.
  • Discuss what steps you need to take to make a claim.
  • Take photos of damage caused by flood for your insurance claim.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada has activated their virtual Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion to help with questions related to insurance. For support:

More information on filing an insurance claim (external link)

Depending on the terms of your insurance policy, your insurer(s) may:
  • assign an adjuster to visit your home to take pictures and handle your claim
  • recommend a vendor who will conduct the emergency services and repairs

Step 3: Take safety precautions

Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Sewage from a wastewater back up can pose a health and safety risk.
  • Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.
  • If water has risen above electrical outlets or water is near electrical panels, consider shutting off your hydro. Contact your local hydro company and/or an electrician, if necessary.
    • Note: This would affect the operation of a sump pump or sewage ejector.
  • If you detect gas, leave the house immediately and contact your gas provider. Water can extinguish a pilot light on a gas appliance, but gas may continue to run.
  • Do not use toilets or sinks until the source of the backup is known. This will help prevent more wastewater from entering your home.

Step 4: Clean and/or dispose of items that have been in contact with wastewater from the backup

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.

Step 5: Ex-gratia Grant for Public Sewer Backups

If you are a Halton resident, you may qualify for financial assistance from Halton Region if Public Works staff have investigated the sewer backup and determined that:
  • a blockage occurred on the municipal side of the wastewater system; or
  • the wastewater backup was the result of a sewer surcharge.

The image in this section illustrates the border between the private side and municipal side of the sewer lateral.

Halton Region’s Ex-gratia Grant ($1,000) for Public Sewer Backup can help residents to either offset the cost of an insurance deductible, or help with flooding-related costs that are not otherwise covered under their home insurance policy.

Residents who sustain property damage from blockages that occur on the private side of the wastewater system and/or blockages that are the result of objects in the drain that originate from the building or private side of the wastewater sewer system are not eligible for the grant.

Remember:
To be eligible for the Ex-gratia Grant for Public Sewer Backup, you must immediately report the sewage backup to Halton Region. Public Works staff will contact you regarding next steps.

Diagram of house that shows homeowner responsibility, property line, storm lateral, wasterwater lateral, storm sewer main and wastewater sewer main

Halton Region is responsible for the section of wastewater service line that runs from the wastewater main at the street, up to the property line.

The property owner/homeowner is responsible for the section of wastewater service line that runs from the property line into the home. Homeowners are also responsible for all indoor plumbing.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I call to report flooding?

Contact Halton Region – call 311 or email accesshalton@halton.ca as soon as possible. All calls will be processed. Public Works staff will book an appointment to visit your property, assess the situation and provide the next steps.

Contact your insurance provider and take photos. The Insurance Bureau of Canada has activated their virtual Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion to help with questions related to insurance. For support:

More information on filing an insurance claim (external link)

Important: Take these steps before you start your cleanup.

What help is available and how do I dispose of items damaged by flood water?

Halton Region is providing enhanced garbage and bulk waste collection for property owners who have reported flooding to the Region. If this is you, we will provide information about the services to you directly by phone, email or we will drop a letter at your home. To report flooding to Halton Region, call 311 or email accesshalton@halton.ca.

Is the tap water safe to drink?

All of the Region’s water and wastewater treatment plants are continuing to operate normally with no risk to drinking water quality. Halton’s drinking water is safe to drink.

If your home relies on private well water supplies and septic systems and you suspect that your well water supply may be contaminated by flood waters, use an alternate source of drinking water until you can obtain test results indicating that your well water is safe for drinking.

Does Halton Region offer any grants to assist with recovery/clean up?

If you have flooding, contact Halton Region – call 311 or email accesshalton@halton.ca as soon as possible. Public Works staff will assess the source of the flooding.

An Ex-gratia Grant ($1,000) is available to residents to assist with flood-related costs where Halton Region Public Works staff have investigated and determined that:

  • a blockage occurred on the municipal side of the wastewater system; or
  • the wastewater backup was the result of a sewer surcharge.

Learn about our Ex-Gratia Grant and how to qualify.

How do I safely clean up after a flood?
  • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment including a disposable particulate mask (for example, 3M 8210 or equivalent N95 mask), unvented safety goggles rubber boots and household rubber gloves and ventilate the area.
  • Remove standing water, mud and other debris with pumps or pails, a wet/dry vacuum and rags and/or towels.
  • Get more instructions on clean up or read our Guide to Flooding Prevention & Recovery (PDF file).
Are there any impacts to air quality due to flooding?
  • Indoor air quality can be affected from dust created during clean-up activities, cleaners and disinfectants, and mould. Learn how to properly handle and clean up from mould or read our Guide to Flooding Prevention & Recovery (PDF file).
  • Remember to
    • keep infants, pregnant women, the elderly or those with existing health problems such as respiratory disease or a weakened immune system away.
    • keep rooms well ventilated. Use a de-humidifier, fan or open windows to let fresh air in. If possible, close off the flooded areas from other parts of the house.
    • wear protective clothing such as a disposable particulate mask (for example, 3M 8210 or equivalent N95 mask), unvented safety goggles, rubber boots and household rubber gloves.
What do I do with food stored in an area affected by the flood?
  • Food and drinks in bottles, plastic containers, plastic wrap and jars, including home preserves as well as fresh foods such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and eggs should be placed in the garbage. Find your collection day here: Halton - Online Waste Collection Schedule.
  • Commercially canned food without dents, leaks and bulges are considered safe if properly cleaned and disinfected. Use a disinfectant that is non-toxic and safe for food contact surfaces.
  • Discard any eating utensils, cutting boards and other food contact surfaces that cannot be properly cleaned and disinfected.
  • Follow the Food Safety tips on the During an Emergency web page to find out how to manage food safety if you experienced a power outage.
I want to take steps to prevent future flooding in my home. Where do I start?

Taking preventive action is one of the best things you can do to protect your home.

Halton Region offers a Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy program to help make it easier and more affordable to make home improvements that can help prevent basement flooding.

Learn more about our subsidies and support for downspout disconnection, weeping tile disconnection and sump pump installation, backwater valve installation and sewer later (pipe) lining and repair.  

What is Halton Region doing to ensure community infrastructure can handle severe and more frequent rainfall?

Halton Region has invested significantly in optimizing the regional wastewater sewer system. These improvements help ensure our wastewater sewer system is more resilient to the impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe localized wet weather. These improvements have reduced the impact and risk of basement flooding but unfortunately cannot eliminate the risk entirely.

Learn more about our basement flooding mitigation program and our other infrastructure improvement programs at halton.ca/construction.

This has taken a toll on my mental health. Where can I get support?

Recovering from a flood can be difficult and very stressful. View of a full list of mental health services in our community on our Mental Health page.

If you or someone you know are experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please call 988.

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