Flooding and leaks
Help … I’m having a flood!
If you are currently experiencing sewer related flooding, you can request a City service crew at 604-326-4680, 24 hours a day.
If water is bubbling up from the ground and it is not coming from a manhole, contact Water Operations at 604-326-4800. For assistance, check the flood and leak detection guide.
Prior to calling the City, try and determine where the flooding or leak is coming from and what type of flooding you are experiencing. You should call a private plumber when you are experiencing a plugged toilet or sink that is located on the second floor of your home as most City related sewer blockages back-up from a fixture such as a drain, toilet, tub or shower stall in the basement.
Depending on the crew's findings, charges and costs may be passed along to the homeowner.
If a blockage is found in the City section of a pipe, it doesn't necessarily mean the City is responsible for the back-up. For example, a large item flushed accidentally down the drain may get stuck in the City section of the connection and could be considered the homeowner's responsibility as it created the problem. Call the above numbers if you require more information.
Is the flooding a result of:
- An overflowing toilet, floor or shower drain, tub or sink?
- An overflowing storm-water sump?
- Is the sump’s backwater valve functioning properly or is it stuck shut?
- Is water seeping in through the basement walls or foundation?
- Heavy rains?
- A plugged street drain or catch-basin?
- Is the back-up sewage, rainwater, or both?
Most commonly, flooding is a result of something obstructing the piping system. Heavy rains can also heighten the chances of a flood as well as leaks from waterlines and even water-mains. Before calling the City or a private plumber to attend to a problem try to determine where the water is coming from and whether the flooding is a result of a water-line leak or a sewer or drainage back-up.
Flood and leak detection guide
In cases when both private and city crews can be contacted, call the City first and describe the problem.
Select the problem below to go to 'What to do' page. |
Private Contractor |
City Sewer Crew |
City Water Crew |
City
Streets Crew |
| An overflowing toilet, floor or shower drain, tub or sink located in the basement? |  |
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| An overflowing toilet, floor or shower drain, tub or sink located on a floor above basement level? | |
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| An overflowing storm-water sump? | |
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| Basement plumbing fixtures are draining slowly or are making bubbling sounds? | |
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| Water seeping in through the basement walls or foundation and pooling on floor? | |
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| A plugged street drain or catch basin? | |
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| Water gushing out of manhole? | |
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| Sound of water running in pipes when all taps are shut? | |
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| Saturated ground or soil when typically the area is dry and firm? | |
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| Water bubbling up from the lawn or boulevard? | |
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| No running water from taps? | |
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| Is there a loss in water pressure? | |
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| Sewer odour inside home? | |
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