Residential Protective Plumbing Program (RPPP) and By-law Review
The City’s 2022 Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessment has identified increasing intensity and volume of precipitation as a priority risk. With this risk comes an increased likelihood of basement flooding which can result in expensive repairs and losses, and disruption of our daily lives.
The RPPP provides financial assistance for property owners to install protective plumbing devices that help reduce the likelihood of basement flooding and prevent storm water from entering residential properties.
The frequency and severity of extreme weather events are increasing; therefore, staff are proposing several Program amendments to help ensure the City is providing residents with the proper supports to better protect their properties from basement flooding.
Program Overview
The Program provides rebates to qualified City of Ottawa homeowners for the installation of protective plumbing devices, such as storm and sanitary backwater valves and sump pumps with backup power, to reduce the likelihood and severity of basement flooding.
Proposed Program Updates
The proposed Program updates will:
- Streamline the application process; and,
- Increase rebate supports available to Ottawa homeowners.
Proposed Application Process Updates
Besides reducing the length of the application form, staff are recommending removing the following requirements from the current application process:
- Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) inspection of the sewer laterals,
- Consultant Site Visit Reviews, and
- No outstanding balance on property taxes.
Removing these requirements will increase eligibility, reduce the required steps residents must take to receive a rebate, and reduce the time required to review and process applications.
Proposed Rebate Items and Amounts
The table below provides the current and proposed rebate items and amounts.
| Rebate Item | Current Rebate Amount | Proposed Rebate Amount |
|---|---|---|
Building Permit | $80 | 100 % of the Building Permit cost |
Sanitary Backwater Valve only (interior) | $700 | $1,000 |
Storm Backwater Valve only (interior) | $500 | $1,000 |
Storm Backwater Valve (exterior) | $1,750 | $2,500 |
New - Primary or Secondary Sump pump with battery backup power in an existing sump pit | $1,250 | $1,500 *now includes the installation of a secondary pump |
New – Primary or Secondary Sump Pump with backup power and construction of a sump pit | - | $3,000 |
New– Private Storm Lateral | - | $3,000 |
Note: should the cost of the work be less than the amount of the available rebate, the City shall rebate the lesser of the two amounts.
Revised Application Form
The recommendations include simplifying the current Residential Protective Plumbing application process. Ideally, the form should be straightforward and easy enough that property owners can complete it on their own, rather than needing a professional to assist. Please review the proposed application form as part of your review. The survey below will ask about the usability of the new form.
Get Involved
The City of Ottawa is seeking your input as an important part of the Program Review. Please complete the survey below to provide your feedback regarding the proposed Program updates. This survey will be open until September 6, 2024. Your feedback will help inform the program updates.
For additional information regarding the survey, questions regarding the Program Review, or accessibility support, please contact rppbylawreview@ottawa.ca.
