Local realtors worry buyers of older homes in London could be required to disconnect weeping tiles from sewer

A city hall proposal requiring owners of older homes to disconnect weeping tiles from the municipal sewer system is raising alarm. Daryl Newcombe explains.

Next week, the Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee (ICSC) will consider if London should develop an implementation plan for a ‘Point of Purchase’ weeping tile disconnection program.

It’s estimated that 50,000 houses constructed before 1985 still have weeping tiles that drain stormwater into the city’s sanitary sewer system, triggering basement flooding and overflows of partially treated sewage into the Thames River.

After city staff considered several long-term mitigation strategies, the Pollution Prevention and Control Plan (PPCP) Master Plan recommends mandating that when a home built prior to 1985 is sold, the buyer must ensure the weeping tiles are disconnected from the sanitary sewer.

A disconnection can typically cost between $5,000 and $10,000.

“We’re a little bit worried that if it was a mandatory program, that it will affect our sellers and our buyers,” said Robin Tiller, chair of the London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors (LSTAR).

In December, City Council delayed approval of the PPCP Master Plan and directed city staff to prepare a report about the other options that could be considered.

The new report still recommends that a mandatory disconnection program for home buyers as the municipality’s long-term strategy.

The report reads, “It provides a fair and practical approach to addressing a major source of inflow and infiltration. It will substantially reduce the risk of basement flooding and sewer overflows, prevent untreated discharges to rivers, improve long-term system resiliency, and provide sewer capacity for growth and intensification.”

It also explains why other options were not recommended.

Relying on temporary storage of stormwater poses risks that the system will be pushed beyond its capacity—leading to basement flooding.

As well, “suitable urban locations are limited, and off-line systems may present odour and maintenance challenges.”

Meanwhile, adding a punitive charge to the water bills of homeowners who choose not to disconnect their weeping tiles wasn’t recommended because it would be “administratively complex” and potentially unaffordable for lower-income homeowners.

The current voluntary program includes financial subsidies from city hall, but is only averaging 73 disconnections per year (2020-2025), a pace that would require 685 years to complete all 50,000 houses.

The staff report emphasizes, “At this time staff are only looking for direction to further investigate the potential for such a program and are not specifically recommending implementation at this time.”

Staff commit that if Council directs them to investigate further, several options for an implementation plan would be brought forward in early 2027.

A final decision would be made during the 2028-2031 Multi-Year Budget process, which could include financial subsidies to offset some of the additional cost for home buyers.

But in a local real estate market increasingly focused on affordability, Tiller would like more options to be on the table.

“We are working to find any solution to help buyers and sellers along with the sales process and adding this extra little bump in the road to a sale is not beneficial for the public,” she explained.

The Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee will consider the Pollution Prevention and Control Plan Update on March 23.