The City of Sarnia now has a better understanding of how many people were impacted by flooding after an extreme weather event happened in early August.
The city has received notice of 432 flooding incidents that stemmed from a storm on August 4.
A report made public last week said the majority of reported incidents (282) were caused by backup from the sanitary sewer.
As stated in the report, city staff began inspecting private properties and found that one-third of homes inspected had sump pumps that were improperly connected to the sanitary sewer service.
"The root cause of the sewer backing up is the inflow and infiltration of stormwater entering the sanitary sewer and overwhelming it. At this point, the largest suspected source of this stormwater is from sump pumps connected to the sanitary service," read the report.
When it comes to public property, the city will begin installing inserts underneath manhole lids this week to reduce the amount of stormwater that can seep into the sanitary sewer system during weather events. The installation will take place in all neighbourhoods that experienced sewer backup.
The report also specifies that there has been "significant interest" in the city's existing basement flooding grant program for the installation of backwater valves.
The program offers funding of up to 75 per cent to a maximum of $1,000. However, concerns have been raised about the cost being higher.
"Staff will maintain the maximum of $1,000 and report back to Council in the fall about actual costs homeowners are experiencing and consider modifications to the grant that would be retroactive to any homeowners who proceed with their installation at this time."
A special council meeting was held on August 12 to approve the development of an immediate action plan. The development of a long-term infrastructure master plan will be funded as part of the 2023 budget process.
-With files from Melanie Irwin
