City speeds up stormwater infrastructure upgrades to help mitigate future flooding

After two, 100-year storms last year, Council approved an action plan to ensure the City’s stormwater system can continue to manage the intense storms and accompanying rainfall that are a reality of climate change. It is important to reduce the impacts of extreme rainfall, such as flooding, as it can cause damage to both private and public property, which are costly to clean up and restore. City staff provided an update on the progress of this action plan at the Stormwater Advisory Committee on June 17, 2025.

The action plan has three goals:

• Implement flood mitigation initiatives through capital projects and maintenance operations
• Hire additional staff to monitor and maintain the stormwater system, and
• Launch financial relief programs for residents impacted by flooding.

These stormwater infrastructure upgrades directly support the City’s Strategic Plan by advancing Council’s priority to tackle climate change through green initiatives and by building safer, more prosperous neighbourhoods for all residents.

Update on flood mitigation upgrades

Over the past year, to help build resiliency into the stormwater system, planned and accelerated upgrades are underway or have been completed at priority locations throughout the city.

Key projects to upgrade the stormwater system that are currently in progress include: land acquisition for the Dixie-Dundas Flood Mitigation Project, upgrades to the Historic Malton Village storm sewers and inlet stormwater upgrades near Greenpark Crescent.

Key projects to upgrade the stormwater system that have been completed include the installation of: a 1.2 metre temporary floodwall along Little Etobicoke Creek, a storm outfall inline check valve in the stormwater system along Cooksville Creek and a trunk sewer inlet upgrade near Tonolli Drive, north of Queensway.

Update on infrastructure maintenance actions

To improve storm sewer inlet and outlet assessment and maintenance, the City increased the number of staff to enhance the program. These assessments allow staff to identify what infrastructure requires clearing or repair to ensure that stormwater can flow freely. As part of this work, a digital dashboard was created to automatically track and monitor the status of the inlet and outlet assessments in the system as well as any required actions.

From this work, more than 1,300 inlets and outlets in the stormwater system were identified for regular assessments throughout the city. Another 21 locations were added to the list of priority inlets and outlets, bringing the total number of priority locations to 70 and counting.

To address service requests and emerging sewer maintenance needs, pipe inspection robots with CCTV cameras are used to inspect pipes and identify damage and blockages that need to be removed.

Service level improvements include:

• Assessment and clearing of inlets and outlets completed every month, instead of twice a year in the spring and fall.
• Assessment and clearing of priority inlets and outlets completed before and after every significant rain event and at a minimum of once per week.
• CCTV sewer inspection and flushing completed every five years, instead of every 10 years.

Financial relief programs for residents

The City provides financial assistance to residents who want to install flood prevention measures in their home.

The Basement Flooding Prevention rebate offers up to $7,500 to help with the cost of installing measures, such as: a sump pump, foundation drainpipe capping or weeping tile, downspout disconnection and storm lateral backwater valve.

The Flood Resilience rebate offers up to $3,000 to help with the cost of installing water-resistant materials and other flood prevention measures, such as: property grading, moisture alarms, water-resilient floors and walls and corrugated steel window well and cover and more.

Flood risk reduction resources

Floods can happen quickly and without warning at any time of the year. Learn about what you can do to help make your home more resilient to future floods.

• Residential guide to flood prevention
• How to maintain proper drainage on your property
• How to disconnect your downspout (video)
• Who owns the infrastructure around your home
• The Climate Change Action Plan Update

For more information about the City’s stormwater infrastructure, visit mississauga.ca/stormwater or watch our reel.

Digital assets and downloads

https://dams.mississauga.ca/web/21b6c8992cea68b/city-speeds-up-stormwater-infrastructure-upgrades/

Tags

• Climate Change
• Stormwater