Edmonton homeowners can get money back for flood-proofing through two EPCOR programs: the Backwater Valve Subsidy (up to $800) and the RainWise Rebate (up to $2,000 for single-family homes). If your basement has flooded before, or you live in an older neighbourhood, these programs can take a big bite out of the cost of preventing the next one. Programs, amounts and eligibility can change and funding is limited. Always confirm current details directly with EPCOR before starting work.
1. EPCOR Backwater Valve Subsidy (up to $800)
A backwater valve is a one-way valve on your main sanitary sewer line. When the sewer system surcharges during a heavy storm, it closes to stop sewage from flowing back into your basement. It’s the single most effective protection against sewer backup.
Who’s eligible (as currently posted by EPCOR)
- Home built before 1989
- Has previously flooded from a sanitary sewer backup, or is in a flood-prone neighbourhood
- No existing backwater valve
- Hasn’t received the subsidy at that address before
- Single-family home or separately serviced duplex
How it works
- Hire a professional plumber to install an approved valve model.
- Get the work permitted and inspected by the City of Edmonton.
- Apply to EPCOR with the permit information, a paid invoice and the application form.
Subsidies are first-come, first-served while funding lasts.
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2. EPCOR RainWise Rebate (up to $2,000)
RainWise is a pilot program that rewards Edmonton property owners, and renters, for projects that keep stormwater out of the system and away from homes. Examples of eligible work include:
| Project | Rebate (as posted) |
|---|---|
| Downspout disconnection | Up to $100 per downspout |
| Rain barrels / storage tanks | $0.25 per litre of storage |
| Low impact development (e.g., rain gardens) | $11 per m² of connected hard surface |
Caps: $2,000 single-family, $5,000 multi-family, $10,000 commercial. Approval is required before you start, and projects must be finished within a year.
Which Homes Benefit Most?
Older Edmonton neighbourhoods with combined or older sewer systems, and areas that have seen repeat storm flooding, gain the most from a backwater valve. Homes with downspouts dumping right beside the foundation or onto driveways benefit from RainWise projects.
Other Low-Cost Ways to Protect Your Basement
- Extend downspouts at least 1.8 m from the foundation.
- Fix negative grading so the ground slopes away from the house.
- Clear snow away from the foundation before the spring melt.
- Test your sump pump each spring and keep the discharge line clear of ice.
- Don’t pour grease down drains; flush only toilet paper.
- Keep valuables in plastic bins off the basement floor.
- Ask your insurer about sewer backup and overland flood coverage.
If You’ve Already Flooded
Rebates are for prevention. If water’s in your basement now, the priority is extraction and drying before mould sets in. Read what to do when your Edmonton basement floods, check typical costs, or call for 24/7 water damage restoration in Edmonton.
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