The Town of Mount Royal is launching an inspection program of property owners’ plumbing that will be fully funded by the municipality, at a cost of $1 million.
Starting March 10, 350 eligible property owners will be able to register to receive, free of charge, a complete professional inspection of their property’s plumbing.
The program is intended for property owners who have experienced and reported to the Town or to their insurer a water-related loss since June 15, 2022. The loss must have occurred due to heavy rainfall, flooding, or sewer backups caused by exceptional weather conditions.
“If you filed already a flooding report to Town of Mount Royal, you qualify,” said Peter Malouf, Mayor of Mount Royal. “Not everybody has protected themselves properly from downpour of rain, torrential rain flooding. So it’s really important that they do it properly.”
In recent years, several properties in Mount Royal have been affected by episodes of torrential rainfall that caused significant damage. With this in mind, the Town is implementing a structured measure aimed at better equipping residents and reducing future risks.
“We can’t eliminate all risks associated with extreme climate events,” said Malouf. “But we can better equip our residents and act proactively. That is why we developed a comprehensive water management strategy and are making this $1 million investment starting in 2026. We are choosing to act now to reduce future impacts on our community.”
Professional, comprehensive inspection at no cost
Eligible property owners will benefit from a turnkey support service delivered by an independent specialized firm retained by the Town.
The inspection will include, among other things, an assessment of backwater valves, the French drain, foundations, the gutter system, window wells, as well as lot grading and property landscaping.
Following the inspection, a detailed report will be provided to the property owner, including a diagnosis of vulnerabilities and personalized recommendations to reduce the risk of water damage. Any recommended corrective work will remain the responsibility of the property owner.
350 spots in 2026, first come, first served
A total of 350 inspections will be offered in 2026. Spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, among complete eligible applications received before August 31, 2026.
Proof of a claim submitted to the Town or to the property owner’s insurer is required when registering online, and inspections will be carried out between May and October 2026.
The program will be rolled out over three years, through 2028, for a maximum of 1,000 inspections.
The Resilient Properties program is part of the Town’s overall strategy for adapting to climate change, particularly with respect to asset management and surface water management.
Starting in 2026 and in the years ahead, the municipality plans to invest several million dollars in infrastructure work, including stormwater retention, drainage, and land-use planning. The program is designed to complement municipal interventions on the network.
Eligible property owners are invited to consult the Resilient Properties section of the Town’s website to verify their eligibility and to submit their online application starting March 10.
“What we’re doing, one stop shopping,” said Malouf. “You call the town, we send the experts that are going to be consistent throughout all the analysis. The resident gets a detailed report and recommendations and the town will get a detailed report and recommendations.”
