Oct 24, 2026
Homeowners near Toronto’s Kew Beach are demanding answers after another round of flooding, saying underground stormwater tanks contribute to a recurring problem. The city disputes that explanation.
CityNews recently reported that several homes north of the beach flooded during the Sept. 2 rainstorm. Resident Steven Roberts said it marked the 11th flood during his 27 years in the neighbourhood. Residents want city staff to address their concerns about the tanks and provide relief sooner.
Advertisement
For affected households, the dispute carries financial stakes beyond the next cleanup. Flood insurance can come with limits, higher deductibles or coverage gaps, depending on the water source.
Thanks for subscribing!
The best of Money.ca delivered weekly.
By signing up, you accept Money.ca Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.
Residents and the city disagree over the pumps
Roberts alleges that the tanks require staff intervention to drain properly, but city officials say the system operates automatically and worked as designed during the storm.
According to the city’s response to CityNews, approximately 60 millimetres of rain fell at Kew Beach. Staff attributed the damage to overland flooding, which happens when rainfall overwhelms the ground and drainage system’s ability to absorb it. Resident Gale Moutrey described the situation to CityNews as “three decades of neglect and inaction.”
According to the City of Toronto website, the Eastern Beaches infrastructure includes two underground detention tanks that capture and hold stormwater and overflows from combined sewers, which carry both sewage and rainwater. The captured wastewater is then treated before being released into Lake Ontario.
Toronto says the tanks have improved water quality and reduced the number of summer days when officials warn against swimming at the eastern beaches. While the tanks help improve beach water quality, their role in preventing neighbourhood flooding remains disputed.
Must Read
- A single line on your car insurance policy could be inflating your premium by up to 30% — here's what to change
- Here are 5 'must-haves' that Canadians constantly overpay for. How many of these are sabotaging your budget every single month?
- Here are the 5 biggest differences between rich and poor Canadians — which side do you fall on?
Join 20,000+ readers and get Money.ca’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Toronto has studied Eastern Beaches flooding for more than a decade
City records confirm that officials were examining flooding in the Eastern Beaches well before the latest storm.
A February 2011 Toronto Water report described work to identify and evaluate solutions for surface and basement flooding. Staff also considered interim measures to provide relief while the broader environmental assessment proceeded.
Advertisement
Toronto’s current project map lists the Eastern Beaches assessment, known as Study Area 32, as completed in 2012. An update is underway, with a target completion date of early 2027. The city says these studies investigate flooding causes and identify improvements to sewers and drainage systems.
That timetable is for completing the study update, and shouldn’t be interpreted as a commitment that construction or other flood protection work will finish by then.
Insurance depends on how water enters the home
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says home insurance usually excludes water damage originating outside the home, such as flooding. Homeowners may need additional coverage for overland flooding or sewer backup.
Insurers also consider local flood risk when setting premiums, deductibles and coverage limits. In very high-risk areas, they may decline to offer flood coverage altogether.
Protective equipment can address specific problems. For example, a backwater valve allows wastewater to leave a home and closes when it detects reverse flow. Federal guidance recommends having a plumbing professional investigate previous backups and determine whether a valve would help the property. It should not be treated as a solution for every route floodwater can take indoors.
For homeowners near Kew Beach, the study update may clarify what needs to change. But with no firm timeline for a fix, residents still face uncertainty about how to protect their homes and what another flood could cost.
You May Also Like
- This 7-step plan from Dave Ramsey is designed to help you ditch debt, save more and build wealth — here’s how it works
- Prioritize these 4 critical investments and watch your net worth skyrocket
- Here are 8 solid money moves that could free up real cash every month — here's where to start
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
The most expensive financial mistakes are often the ones you don't see coming. Join 19,000+ Canadians who get the money moves, risks and opportunities shaping their finances — delivered free each week. Subscribe now.
Colin Graves is a Winnipeg-based financial writer and editor whose work has been featured in publications such as Time, MoneySense, MapleMoney, Retire Happy, The College Investor, and more. Before becoming a full-time writer, Colin was a bank manager for over 15 years.
