Water Leakage, Flooding and Drainage

The property owner is responsible to repair the main water shut-off and properly maintain fixtures inside and outside their residence/building.

Contact the Operations Centre to inspect and turn off the water shut-off valve at the road. Please see Rates and Fees for current service fees.

Contact the Operation Centre at (905) 945-9201 to report discoloured water.

Contact the Grimsby Water Treatment Plant to report any unusual water odours at (905) 945-2840

Storm water drainage issues on private property are generally the responsibility of the property owner.

However, please contact the Town if your drainage issue is related to one of the following:

• Drainage issues for new subdivisions (as a result of lot grading): contact the Engineering Department
• Driveway culvert extensions and new culvert applications: contact the Engineering Department
• Damaged or plugged culverts, contact the Operations Centre at 905-945-9201

Residents who are experiencing basement flooding are advised to contact their insurance company as soon as possible to begin your claim. Water should be removed safely using pumps, shop vacuums, or other available equipment.

Please be patient with standing surface water - stormwater systems will continue to drain and recover as conditions improve.

Determining the cause of basement flooding is not always easy to determine. When providing information to your insurance and the Town, gather as many details as possible, including:

• Where is the water coming from
• When did the flooding start
• How much water is present
• What is the colour and odour of the water

As drainage systems require time to fully drain after a heavy rainfall, we ask residents do not report full or flooding ditches unless an immediate risk is present to public safety. Properties located near roadside ditches that remain full are asked to wait 24 hours after the storm has passed before reporting a full ditch to the Town.

Reducing duplicate calls helps the Town respond to emergency situations more quickly.

SAFETY FIRST

• Flood water could cause the pilot lights on some gas appliances to be extinguished - leave your house immediately and contact your gas company if gas is detected
• Open windows to let in fresh air
• Keep pets and children out of the flooded area
• Wear protective gear when in the flooded area - overalls, gloves, protective eyeglasses, rubber boots, face mask
• Remove any dry belongings as quickly as possible
• Any contaminated items that cannot be washed or disinfected should be discarded - this includes drywall or insulation that has been contaminated by sewage or flood water
• All affected surfaces and clothes worn during cleanup should be washed with hot water and detergent, with the flooded area thoroughly dried and ventilated (sanitize walls and floors and use a dehumidifier and fan if necessary) - clothes should be washed via manufacturer's instructions and kept separate from contaminated clothes and linens

Being proactive and responsible for maintenance can prevent high water bills and building/property damage. 

Perform a test in the entire household by taking a water meter reading after the last use, recording all the digits and the position of the exact position of the tenth column. Refrain from using any water during the night and before taking the meter reading in the morning before the first usage. 90% of leaks in residential plumbing are found in the toilet tank. Add colouring or dye test tablet (local hardware store) in the toilet tank. If within 15 minutes the colouring appears in the toilet bowl, check the flapper is closing tight. Inspect the following fixtures connected to the water supply: taps (inside and out), water-cooled air conditioners, humidifiers, underground lawn sprinkler systems.

Contact Ontario 1 Call at 1-800-400-2255 to arrange for any locates if you are digging on your property. Or go to Ontario One Call to request a locate online.