Residents residing in the northeastern region of Steinbach have accused the city of negligence in relation to the flooding that affected their homes in the years 2024 and 2025. A legal action filed in Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench asserts that the City of Steinbach failed in its duty towards residents by allegedly mishandling the sewer system design, maintenance, and enforcement of related bylaws, leading to increased rainfall entering the system during significant rain events. The lawsuit seeks compensation for the damages incurred during the flooding incidents.
According to the claim, the city’s approval of a subdivision called Clearspring Greens in the early 2000s redirected sewer drainage into the area where the plaintiffs’ homes are situated, instead of diverting it as planned. Additionally, the lawsuit mentions that the Steinbach Aquatic Centre and the Granite Park development were also connected to the same sewer system without capacity enhancements, exacerbating the situation.
Furthermore, the legal action alleges that the city was aware of residents discharging rainwater into the closed sewer system in violation of a bylaw but failed to enforce it. The removal of sewer manhole covers during construction allowed stormwater to enter the system, overwhelming its capacity during heavy rainfall episodes. The lawsuit claims that the city did not activate auxiliary pumps promptly, which could have mitigated the overflow and subsequent flooding in the plaintiffs’ homes.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for property loss, damages to personal belongings, diminished property values, and mental distress caused by the recurring flooding incidents. The lawsuit also accuses the City of Steinbach of acknowledging its shortcomings in managing the sewer system and changing its enforcement policies regarding rainwater discharge.
In response to these allegations, a City of Steinbach spokesperson stated that the municipality regularly inspects and maintains its sewer infrastructure, attributing the backups to exceptionally severe rainfall. The city is reportedly planning to expand its wastewater infrastructure to accommodate future growth and mitigate similar incidents.
Despite the residents’ claims and legal action, the Disaster Financial Assistance applications filed by Steinbach for the rainfall events were denied by the province. The city is advocating for retroactive approval of financial aid for affected residents. The city’s insurers and legal team are aware of the lawsuit, and the city maintains that none of the allegations have been tested in court yet.