Eco Superior Media Release
A City of Thunder Bay program to help homeowners with the cost of sump pumps and other drainage program has been fully expended for 2016.
The program, launched in 2013 with a $700,000 commitment from City Council, has issued that amount in refunds to qualified homeowners who have completed sump pump installation or repairs, added backflow valves, or disconnected their weeping tile from the storm drain system.
The rebate program was developed and delivered by EcoSuperior, where project coordinator Jamie Saunders says “it has resulted in drainage improvements for 541 households across the city to date.
The average rebate has been about $1300. We continue to receive calls daily inquiring about the rebates, and right now we are advising them that the program may be renewed in the spring, subject to Council’s approval of the 2017 Budget.”
In 2016, to improve access to the program it was made available to qualifying non-profit organizations and rebates for qualifying low-income households were increased from 50 to 80%.
The program also included the development of a new resource, Understanding and improving your Residential Drainage, a 16-page booklet to help homeowners. The booklet is available at EcoSuperior and local plumbing stores.
