What does the grant cover?
The City offers property owners of single-family residential homes a grant (subsidy) of up to $2000 for the installation of a backwater valve and other eligible works that help to reduce the risk of basement flooding.
Eligible work is a backwater valve with its assessment, disconnecting downspouts, and a sump pump installed with a backwater valve (City of Hamilton, Protective Plumbing Program, read November 5, 2026). A loan of up to $2,000 more is available where the work costs more than the grant.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Grant with a City pre-qualified contractor | Up to $2,000 |
| Grant with any other contractor (backwater valve) | Up to $500 |
| Loan where the work costs more than the grant | Up to $2,000 |
| City permit for a backwater valve on its own | $291 |
Who qualifies?
All of these have to be true, in the City's list:
You own a single family residential home.
Your home has a basement.
Your home is connected to the City of Hamilton sewer system.
Your property taxes are up to date.
Your home was built before January 1, 2012.
You are not currently in the process of adding a secondary dwelling unit.
The City answers eligibility questions at 905-546-2489 (City of Hamilton, Protective Plumbing Program, read November 5, 2026).
Why does the contractor matter?
Because the full grant depends on the City's list. The City: Property owners who choose a contractor outside of the list will only be eligible for a maximum of $500 for the installation of a backwater valve.
The City's list has five pre-qualified contractors. JDT Construction Inc. is not one of them, so for this job on its own, the City's list is the way to the full $2,000.
What permit does it need?
A building permit; the City notes Backwater valve installations require building permit
, and its fee schedule sets a backwater valve on its own at $291 (City of Hamilton, Building Permit Fees, read November 5, 2026). On the program, the contractor gets the permit and the City inspects the work. When a backwater valve is part of a bigger job, like a basement renovation, it goes on that job's permit and plumbing inspections; see the inspections on a build. Adding a unit at the same time rules the grant out, which money for an ADU in Hamilton covers.