Burlington, Ont.—June 5, 2025— As the summer rainy season approaches, the City is sharing its latest investments to make Burlington more flood-resistant, along with tips to help residents prepare for potential flooding.

What the City is Doing

Climate change is a global problem with local consequences and solutions. Recognizing the severity of our changing climate, City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019. Since 2014, the City of Burlington has invested $20 million in stormwater infrastructure, which has made a positive difference in our ability to handle stormwater and reduce flooding.  

This year, the City is investing over $5 million in stormwater improvements to help protect homes, roads, and natural areas from flooding. Projects underway include replacing aging infrastructure to improve water flow, restoring eroded creek banks, and studying flood risks in the downtown area. Latest projects include:

• Tuck Creek Flood Mitigation & New Street Bridge Replacement
• Appleby Creek Erosion Control
• Lower Rambo Creek Flood Mitigation Environmental Assessment

The City is currently developing a city-wide Stormwater Master Plan, which will help guide the City in addressing climate challenges.

What Residents Can Do

Intense, short-duration downpours are becoming more frequent. While the City has strong stormwater management infrastructure in place, extreme rainfall can challenge the capacity of any system. Flood resilience depends on more than infrastructure, assessments, and maintenance – it depends on community participation through flood prevention programs and preparation. 

Residents are encouraged to learn more about the following flood preparedness programs:

Home Flood Protection Program

The City of Burlington offers a Home Flood Protection Program to help homeowners reduce their risk of basement flooding and minimize damage if flooding occurs. The program offers homeowners up to 50 per cent of the cost of Home Flood Protection Assessments which aim to find potential ways that water/sewage can enter your home.

Plumbing Permit Fee Grant Program

The City of Burlington offers a Plumbing Permit Fee Grant Program which covers the cost of a building permit associated with specific improvements done in homes or businesses to reduce the risk of basement flooding.

Halton Region's Enhanced Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy Program

Halton Region's Enhanced Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy Program offers financial support for residents who make improvements to prevent stormwater from entering the wastewater system and reduce the risk of flooding from sewer backup. Available subsidies include backwater valve installation, downspout disconnection and more.

Stay Informed and Report Flooding

In major flood emergencies, information is shared on the City’s corporate social media channels and website. Residents can sign up to receive City-related extreme weather updates by visiting burlington.ca/subscribe.  

Significant ponding or flooded areas can be reported to Service Burlington by calling 905-335-7777 or emailing city@burlington.ca.

If your basement floods from sanitary sewer back-ups, please call 3-1-1. Operators will help forward your concern to the appropriate specialists and make sure someone follows up with you, as needed.

Burlington is a city where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.

Quotes

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

“As Burlington continues to grow, we must prioritize the safety and resilience of our community in the face of increasing climate challenges. Our proactive budget investments in stormwater infrastructure and flood prevention programs reflect our commitment to protecting Burlington residents, businesses, and the environment. By working together with residents, we can create a more flood-resilient city for the future. I encourage all homeowners to take advantage of available resources to help minimize the risk of flooding.”

Scott Hamilton, Commissioner, Public Works

“The City’s $5.2 million investment in stormwater improvements is already laying a foundation for meaningful change. Projects like the Tuck, Appleby and Rambo Creek stormwater enhancements will help reduce erosion, improve water flow, and protect nearby homes and natural areas. As we develop Burlington’s new Stormwater Management Plan, we’re laying the groundwork for a long-term strategy to address the impacts of climate change. These efforts, along with our ongoing collaboration with Halton Region reflect our commitment to building a more flood-resilient Burlington, and we encourage residents to take steps to prepare for the rainy summer season as well.”

Links and Resources

• www.burlington.ca/floodprevention
• www.halton.ca/flood
• www.burlington.ca/flood
• www.burlington.ca/emergencyprep

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