Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux is encouraging Manitobans to protect their homes this spring by taking advantage of a successful and newly expanded program. The program offers homeowners in Winnipeg and communities across Manitoba a subsidy to purchase and install sump pumps and in-line backwater valves in order to safeguard their homes from sewer backup.
“Homeowners in Winnipeg and other participating municipalities responded quickly and in large numbers when we first offered this program last year,” said Lemieux. “To meet the demand and help people defend their homes against sewer backup, we are continuing to provide funding allocations for Winnipeg and each rural community interested in administering a sewer back-up subsidy program in 2012 and 2013 to help people install sump pumps and in-line backup water valves.”
Through this $2-million program, the province will provide matching 50-50 cost-shared funding to participating municipalities.
Through the municipality, the subsidy program pays up to 60 per cent of the cost of installing a sewer/drainage backup system to a maximum of $3,000 per household (up to $1,000 toward the installation of an approved in-line backwater valve and up to $2,000 toward the installation of a sump pump and pit-drainage system).
The program was first introduced in January 2011 to address heavy summer rainfalls in 2010 and concerns about a significant flood in 2011. The cities of Winnipeg and Brandon were the first to access this funding opportunity. Since that time, 20 other municipalities have committed to providing this program to their residents.
“I encourage Manitobans to take advantage of this valuable program which will give homeowners peace of mind that their homes are better protected,” said Lemieux.
