Some Brant County residents have raised concerns about municipally branded letters they received from a third-party advertising sewer and water line warranties. However, the county has confirmed that the mailers are legitimate, according to a report from The Hamilton Spectator.
Homeowners connected to municipal water and sewer systems began receiving the letters in early 2025, inviting them to sign up for exterior water and sewer/septic line protection through Service Line Warranty of Canada (SLWC).
The county addressed these concerns in a January news release, confirming the letters were authentic. According to the release, the plan can help "shield residents from the financial shock of an unexpected repair," which would otherwise be the homeowner’s responsibility.
The program, endorsed by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, has been available to County of Brant homeowners since 2016. The county receives 5% of revenue from warranty products, according to a term sheet from May 2016.
According to the county’s website, exterior water service line protection costs approximately $50 plus tax annually, while exterior sewer/septic line coverage is around $60 plus tax annually, with no deductible.
Homeowners are responsible for sewer lines leading away from their house, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). In addition, the county’s website stated that homeowners are also responsible for the water service line from inside the home to the property line. Issues such as grease-related clogging also fall under homeowner responsibility, while structural problems found between the property line and mainline sewer are the county’s responsibility.
Anne Marie Thomas, IBC’s director of consumer and industry relations, told The Spectator that whether or not to purchase insurance for service lines is a financial decision. Without coverage, homeowners could face costs "upwards of $5,000" in the event of a service line break, depending on the situation, she said.
Thomas advised homeowners to contact their existing insurance broker or agent to determine if service line coverage is available, what it includes, and whether it meets their needs. She also recommended comparing that information with the SLWC coverage being offered. The IBC’s consumer information centre is available to answer general insurance questions.
Hamilton residents raised concerns when the city partnered with SLWC in August 2014. Since then, Hamilton homeowners have received more than 8,200 home repairs valued at approximately $3.5 million through the program, according to a January 2022 update to the Hamilton City Council.
In Brant County, participation in the program remains low. As of February 2023, only about 1% of eligible homeowners had registered, according to an administration and operations committee presentation.
