Sump pumps and backwater valves in Ottawa, with the City rebate in view
Say what you have now, what failed, and the year the house was built. One independent Ottawa plumbing company gets the work order and calls you to price the job.
In short
- 01The City of Ottawa's Residential Protective Plumbing program rebates up to $1,500 for a sump pump with battery backup in an existing pit, $3,000 in a new pit.
- 02Backwater valves: up to $1,000 indoors (sanitary or storm), $2,500 for an outdoor storm valve, plus 100% of the plumbing permit fee.
- 03Build date matters: before January 1, 2004 for the storm valve rebate, before January 1, 2012 for the sanitary valve rebate.
- 04A building permit comes first. Repairs and replacements of existing devices get no rebate.
- 05Sump pump replacement, Canada-wide guide: $300–$1,200 with installation.
Typical ranges
Source HomeStars, How Much Does a Sump Pump Cost in Canada?, updated 21.08.2026, seen 29.10.2026. HomeStars, How Much Does Plumbing Cost?, seen 29.10.2026. HomeStars, Plumbing Services Cost Guide for Ottawa, seen 29.10.2026. Rebates: City of Ottawa, Residential Protective Plumbing program, seen 29.10.2026. Discharge rule: City of Ottawa, How to prevent basement flooding, seen 29.10.2026.
What to ask before you book
- Q1Does my job fit the City rebate, and will you itemize the invoice the way the City asks?
- Q2Who applies for the building permit, and who books the City inspection when the work is done?
- Q3Is the backup on battery or on a whole-home generator, and what does each add?
- Q4Where will the pump discharge: to the storm sewer, or to the ground at least 1.2 metres from the foundation?
- Q5For a backwater valve: indoor or outdoor, sanitary or storm, and how do I keep it clear afterwards?
Before the visit
- Year the house was built: deed, purchase papers or the City's property records
- Photos of the sump pit, the pump, the discharge pipe and where it exits the house
- Where the floor drain and the sewer clean-out are
- Any past flooding: date, how much water, what it came through
- Clear access to the pit and the floor around it, including any boxes over the clean-out
Pump, valve, or both
Two devices, two jobs. A sump pump moves groundwater from the foundation drains out of the house. A backwater valve stops sewer water from flowing back in when the City’s sewer surcharges in a storm. A basement that floods with clear water during snowmelt points to the first; a floor drain that brings up sewage points to the second.
Write in the work order which one you have, what failed and when. If you are unsure what you have, a photo of the pit and of the floor near the clean-out is enough to start.
The City rebate, step by step
The City of Ottawa’s Residential Protective Plumbing program pays back the lesser of the cost or the maximum below:
| Device | Maximum rebate |
|---|---|
| Building permit, plumbing work | 100% of the fee |
| Indoor sanitary or indoor storm backwater valve | $1,000 each |
| Outdoor storm backwater valve | $2,500 |
| Sump pump with battery backup or generator, existing pit | $1,500 each, primary and secondary |
| Same, newly built pit | $3,000 each, primary and secondary |
The order matters: get the building permit before the work, have the work inspected by the City when it is done, then apply with proof of ownership, the permit, the inspection report and a paid, itemized invoice. Since July 1, 2026, you have 18 months from the permit date. Devices installed by the City, and repairs or replacements of existing devices, are excluded.
Where the water goes
The City asks that a sump pump connect to the storm sewer or discharge onto the ground at least 1.2 metres from the foundation. It also asks that foundation drains run to the storm sewer or a sump pump, and never to the sanitary sewer. If your discharge pipe ends next to the wall, mention it in the work order; it is part of the quote.
For downspouts and rain gardens, the City’s Rain Ready Ottawa program may rebate up to $5,000 in priority areas. That is a separate program from the plumbing rebate.
Older valves need upkeep
The City says protective plumbing devices should be checked periodically and before a forecast heavy rain, and that in older homes with cast iron pipes, rust can build up at the valve hinge and stop it closing. Ask the plumber who installs a valve to show you the access cover and the maintenance the manufacturer asks for.
Who you are dealing with
Ottawa Plumbing Desk is a request service. We pass your work order to one independent Ottawa plumbing company, which calls you, prices the pump or valve work, and does it. The rebate is paid by the City of Ottawa to the property owner.
Questions
01Does the City pay for a new sump pump?
The Residential Protective Plumbing program rebates the lesser of the cost or a set maximum: $1,500 for a primary or secondary sump pump with battery backup in an existing pit, $3,000 in a newly built pit. A pump wired to a whole-home generator qualifies at the same amounts and needs an electrical inspection.
02My old sump pump died. Will the rebate cover a like-for-like swap?
The City says rebates are unavailable for maintenance, repair or replacement of existing protective plumbing devices. Before you buy, call 3-1-1 or ask the plumber how the City would treat your job.
03What is a backwater valve for?
It closes when the City sewer surcharges, so sewage cannot flow back into the basement. The City lists heavy rain, blockages and damage in the sewer main among the causes of surcharging, and lists backwater valves among its steps to reduce basement flooding.
04How long do I have to claim the rebate?
From July 1, 2026, the City allows 18 months from the building permit’s issue date to finish the work and file the application. You attach proof of ownership, the permit, the inspection report and a paid, itemized invoice.
05My house was built in 2015. Can I get a backwater valve rebate?
The storm valve rebate applies to homes built before January 1, 2004, and the sanitary valve rebate to homes built before January 1, 2012. Newer homes fall outside both. Ask the City through 3-1-1 about the sump pump rebates, which list no build date.