River flooding

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Current situation

As we are approaching our seasonal spring flood season, levels on our waterways remain normal.  

But help you stay informed and be prepared, follow the respective conservation authority for the area where you reside. You can visit their site regularly and sign up for alerts:

Find out if your home is in a flood plain.

Special weather statement for March 4 and 5

Be aware that a storm system will be affecting the Ottawa area on Wednesday, March 4. Above freezing temperatures and a forecasted rainfall between 15 and 25 mm will cause pooling on streets and localized flooding in some low-lying areas. The melt will also create unstable ice conditions on creeks and rivers. Please keep children and pets away from any creek or waterway.

Sandbags

The City of Ottawa provides sand and sandbags to residents who require them at the following locations:

  • 29 Hurdman Road
  • 911 Industrial Avenue
  • 2155 Roger Stevens Drive
  • 262 Len Purcell Drive

Before you begin

Please review the Ottawa Public Health "Prevention of respiratory illnesses" page.

The City of Ottawa provides sand and sandbags to residents who live in areas prone to Spring flooding at various locations across the City.

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One way to keep flood water from affecting part of your property is to build a sandbag wall.

For more information on flood mitigation, visit ottawa.ca/springflooding

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Descriptive Video:

Text: How to Make a Sandbag Wall

Visual: Completed Sandbag Wall

One way to keep flood water from affecting part of your property is to build a sandbag wall.

Text: The Bag

First, let's take a look at the bag.

Visual: Close up of an empty bag

Empty sandbags can be purchased at most building supply stores in Ottawa.

Visual: Graphic showing 2/3rds of the way filled.

Only fill each bag two-thirds of the way as Overfilled bags are not as effective and become too heavy to remove later once saturated with water.

Visual: Placing a ladder onto two wooden horses and putting pylon into place.

A propped ladder and a pylon makes for a stable workspace. Carefully cut the pylon to create a syphon for the sand.

Visual: The top of a pylon being cut.

Visual: Filling the sandbags.

Visual: Close up a filled bag being tied up and thrown onto a pile

To build our wall we created a base layer four bags wide, overlapping the sides slightly.

Visual: Base layer of four bags wide already in place.

When you lay your sandbags, make sure to overlap the seams.

Visual: Graphic of sand bags positioning

Position the bottom seam of the bag towards the water, and the tied end toward the shore.

Visual: Shore labeled at the top of the screen

Visual: Water labeled at the bottom of the screen

Visual: Close up of stacking bags

Then, stack sandbags in a pyramid style on all sides. With this pyramid design, if you want a higher wall, you will need to make it wider at the base to begin with.

A ten-metre wall, two feet in height, would require approximately 100 bags.

Visual: Completed sandbag wall

This is one way to build a sandbag wall.

Text: For more information visit Ottawa.ca

Visual: Ottawa logo

Climate change
  • Climate change is causing an increase in temperatures, rainfall and more extreme weather, including flooding. Changing weather patterns and extreme weather impact our health and safety, infrastructure, the economy and the environment. The City continues to take steps to protect our community and our city’s infrastructure from extreme weather due to climate change.
  • Learn more about Climate Resiliency and the Climate Change Master Plan. 
  • Learn more about changing riverine flood risks and check whether your property is in a flood vulnerable area at Flood Plain Mapping and Climate Change

What to do if your basement has flooded

Recommended homeowner response to basement flooding:

  1. Can you determine where the water Is coming from? You can check if your toilets and sinks are draining properly by running your toilet or sink and observing if that causes water to come up through your drain; if no water comes up through your drain when running water, the problem is likely ground water.
    1. Avoid using fixtures and appliances which require water, until after the issue has been resolved, as any water sent down the drain may end up in your basement.
  2. Wearing appropriate protective clothing, clear any blockages to ensure proper flow.
  3. Call 3-1-1 to report your flood. The City has expert staff on duty at all times who will respond as soon as possible to these situations. If requesting City assistance, ensure someone 18 years or older is at home to meet City staff.
  4. Contact your insurance company
  5. Locate the sewer clean-out caps. Do NOT attempt to open. Clean-out caps are usually located in the basement floor at the front of the home (near the water meter). Ensure an area at least one meter on all sides of the clean-out is free from obstructions (boxes, furniture) to provide access to City staff.

Safety

Do NOT enter the flooded area until a qualified professional has determined it is safe to enter.

Natural Gas

If the flood water level is threatening any gas-fired equipment such as a furnace, hot water heater or stove, contact Enbridge Gas.

Hydro

If the flood water level has reached any plug, electrical outlet, extension cord or electrical appliance such as a baseboard heater, contact Hydro Ottawa.

More information on flood safety can be found from the Electrical Safety Authority.

Bacteria or viruses

Basement flood water may contain sewage from the sanitary sewer. Flood water contaminated with sewage may contain bacteria and viruses which can affect your health and the health of your family. Be sure to wear protective clothing such as rubber boots, gloves, safety glasses and a facemask, and wash thoroughly after any contact with flood water or items which may have been in contact with flood water.

Flooding and your health: What you need to know

The following links provide information on preparing for a potential flood; protecting yourself and your family during a flood; and restoring your home after a flood. 

For more information on cleaning, disinfecting, mould and re-entering your home, refer to the Government of Canada – Get Prepared or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Contacting your insurance company

Your insurance company will be able to advise you regarding standard clean-up and claims procedures, along with contractors to contact. Generally,

  • Understand your coverage and what type(s) of flooding damage are covered.
  • Photograph and document damaged items or items which will need to be replaced.
  • Retain receipts for any emergency and repair work, along with replacement items.

For more information on home insurance, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada website. 

Supports for affected residents

Who to call 

  • If your property is at risk call 3-1-1.
    • If you are near the river and call 3-1-1 from a cell phone, it may automatically be picked up by a Quebec cell phone tower and direct you to the City of Gatineau. Call 613-580-2400 to reach the City of Ottawa if this keeps happening to you.
  • If it is an emergency situation, call 9-1-1.  
  • For information on provincial government and local community-based health and social services, call 2-1-1
  • Restoring Power and arranging for electrical repairs, call the Electrical Safety Authority: 1-877-372-7233
  • If Enbridge has shut off gas due to flooding, call Enbridge at 1-877-362-7434

Septic systems, private wells and utilities

Septic Systems

If your septic system is affected, please contact 3-1-1 to report your location so that the City can implement appropriate additional response measures and provide you with information on supports available.

Ottawa Public Health recommends that you do not use the septic system (e.g., no flushing toilets or draining water from sinks, bathtubs, showers or dishwashers) until the water level around the house is lower than the in the septic drainage field and enough time has been given for the soil to adequately drain. The soil requires additional time to drain in order to allow sewage to be absorbed. This may take several weeks after flood waters recede depending on the length of time the system was under water and the soil conditions.

Private Wells

If flood waters have reached the level of your well head, or covered your well head, your well water may be contaminated and not safe to drink.

Residents who own private wells affected by flooding are advised to:

  • The best option is to stop using your well water and use another potable water source such as bottled water for ALL water use, including drinking, preparing food, cleaning, bathing, hand washing.
  • If you want to continue to use your well water and do not suspect chemical contamination, bring the water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and let it cool before using it for drinking, making infant formula, juices, ice or recipes, brushing your teeth, rinsing contact lenses, and washing food or dishes. Refrigerate your boiled water until it is used. 
    • If you suspect chemical contamination of your drinking water and well, please contact the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) well help desk at 613-521-3450.
  • Do not test your well water during a flood.

For more information on Septic Systems and Private Wells during and after flooding, please visit Ottawa Public Health’s online resources.

Electricity

  • If your power was disconnected, you will need to contact your hydro utility company
    • Hydro Ottawa: 613-738-0188 
    • Hydro One: 1-800-434-1235 
  • If your fuse/breaker panels, electrical appliances, and any outlets have been flooded, inspections and repairs will be required by a licensed electrical contractor before the utility company can restore your power.
  • The licensed electrical contractor will file the completed work with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and the hydro utility company will be able to restore your power.  A copy of the work will be provided to you for insurance purposes.
  • For more information about restoring and arranging repairs, call the ESA at 1-877-372-7233 or visit their website at easafe.com.

Enbridge Gas

If Enbridge has shut off gas due to flooding and you want it turned on again:

  • Contact Enbridge at 1-877-362-7434
  • Enbridge will come and do a property assessment to determine if it is safe to reconnect the gas supply
  • Once inspection has passed, the homeowner must contact an approved HVAC contractor
  • The HVAC contractor will connect all gas-fueled appliances (furnace, hot water tank, dryer, stove, etc)

 Visit Enbridgegas.com for more flooding safety information.

City response to basement flooding
  1. City staff will inspect the sewer main near your home to determine whether or not it is functioning normally. If there is a problem, it will be fixed as soon as possible.
  2. If the problem is not related to the sewer main, City staff can help you identify the problem, if resources are available.
  3. If the problem is in the home’s drain system, the homeowner will be advised to contact a plumber.
  4. If the problem is related to either the sanitary or storm lateral, repairs may be the homeowner's responsibility, City's responsibility, or a shared responsibility. Responsibility can only be determined after City staff have reviewed all of the available information.