Residents in the northeastern part of Steinbach have accused the City of Steinbach in southern Manitoba of negligence leading to the flooding of their homes in 2024 and 2025. A lawsuit filed in Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench alleges that the City’s actions during significant rainfall events caused an increase in rainfall entering the sewer system in their area. The lawsuit claims that the City breached its duty of care by inadequately designing and maintaining the sewer system, failing to enforce relevant bylaws, and neglecting inspection of construction work that exposed sewer manholes to excessive rainwater.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for the losses incurred due to flooding in September 2024 and September 2025. The lawsuit points to a plan approved in the early 2000s for a subdivision called Clearspring Greens, which directed liquid sewer discharge into the plaintiffs’ neighborhood instead of diverting it elsewhere. Additionally, the lawsuit mentions the inclusion of the Steinbach Aquatic Centre and Granite Park development in the sewage system serving the plaintiffs’ homes without increasing the system’s capacity.
The lawsuit also alleges that the City was aware since 2015 of residents using sump pumps against a bylaw meant to prevent sewer overflows but failed to enforce it. It further implicates ongoing construction in 2024 and 2025 for removing sewer manhole covers, allowing stormwater to enter the closed sewer system. The City is accused of not activating auxiliary pumps promptly during the rainfall events, contributing to sewer water backup and subsequent flooding in the plaintiffs’ homes.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for damages to their homes, particularly basements, personal property, loss of enjoyment of their properties, reduced home values, and ongoing mental distress over potential future damages. The lawsuit also claims that the City acknowledged its failure to manage the sewer system around the plaintiffs’ homes and changed its enforcement policy regarding rainwater discharge into the closed sewer system.
To address the situation, Steinbach has issued a contract tender for constructing additional sewer infrastructure to divert Clearspring Greens’ system away from the plaintiffs’ area. The City asserts that it routinely maintains and inspects its sewer infrastructure and is committed to expanding it as the city grows. Although the City’s applications for Disaster Financial Assistance were denied for both events, it continues to seek retroactive approval for affected residents. The City’s insurers and legal team are aware of the lawsuit, and the allegations are yet to be tested in court.
