River flooding

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Current situation

With summer just days away, we draw a close to the 2025 spring flood season with local waterways near seasonal levels. 

But even though another freshet season has passed, the City is always working to prepare for the next event.

Remember, individual preparation and proactive planning are just as important. This helps ensure your household is prepared to respond to flooding emergencies and protect your property from potential damage. When more residents are prepared, the entire community becomes more resilient and able to respond to and manage emergency situations.

Here are some resources to help you plan, prevent and prepare

Find out if your home is in a flood plain

 

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.

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. 

Making a claim

Homeowners who have incurred damage to their home or its contents should contact their insurance company for assistance. Typically, your insurance company will submit a claim to the City for investigation/response on your behalf. Claims can be submitted to the City’s Claims Unit.

For more information, please contact our general claims line at 613-580-2655 or by email at claims@ottawa.ca.

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.

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.