Windsor getting $271K to help alleviate flooding

Windsor is getting money from the Ontario government to help alleviate flooding in the area.

The Ontario government is investing $271,000 to support the implementation of the Sewer and Coastal Flood Protection Master Plan (SMP) in Windsor.

This investment supports an immediate priority project identified in the SMP: sealing sanitary maintenance hole covers (MH Sealing) through the installation of rain catchers. The city is contributing approximately $96,000 toward this project.

“Windsor was hard hit by severe flooding events in 2016 and 2017, and we’ve put in the work to understand the causes, evaluate the short-term and long-term solutions, and get to work to make a difference,” said Ward 6 councillor Jo-Anne Gignac. “Certainly, we cannot do this alone, and we are grateful for this investment from the province that supports work in areas of the city that are most vulnerable to the impacts of stormwater.”

Funding for this project is part of Ontario’s $7.3 million initiative to support local organizations across the province with projects that help strengthen the health and resilience of the Great Lakes and their connecting waterways.

“Flooding has been a real concern for families and homeowners in Windsor,” said Andrew Dowie, Member of Provincial Parliament for Windsor–Tecumseh. “This funding will help the City take practical steps to reduce the risk of basement flooding and protect our neighbourhoods.”

Rain catchers are designed to reduce the amount of rainwater entering maintenance holes, helping to lower the risk of basement flooding, particularly as the region experiences more frequent and severe weather events.

This work is part of the City of Windsor’s broader Sewer Master Plan (SMP), a 50+ year roadmap recommending about $5 billion in improvements. So far, the city has committed $419 million, with nearly $100 million already invested.

“The City of Windsor is committed to ending basement flooding, and we are working deliberately and strategically to realize that goal through key projects and initiatives identified in the Sewer and Coastal Flood Protection Master Plan,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.

As part of the MH Sealing project, around 1,000 rain catchers will be installed in low-lying, high-risk areas. These devices aim to prevent stormwater from entering the sanitary sewer system, reducing the likelihood of flooding, sewer overflows, and treatment plant bypasses.

Installations will be tracked using GIS-based mapping for real-time monitoring and future infrastructure planning. The project supports climate resilience, system efficiency, and better flood protection for the community.

Local Great Lakes initiatives are funded by two provincial programs, the Great Lakes Program and the Great Lakes Local Action Fund.