Hundreds of vulnerable homes in Medicine Hat are now protected against future floods because of a new program that provides owners with up to $2,000 each to install isolation valves that eliminate sewer backup when high waters hit.

While the province balked at funding the initiative through its disaster recovery program, the southeastern Alberta city found $1 million from its own coffers to protect local residents.

Were getting sick and tired of floods so we decided to solve this problem once and for all, Medicine Hat Mayor Ted Clugston said.

Its probably going to save us, the province and insurance companies big dollars in the long run.

Most municipalities in Alberta already require one-way valves on new homes that operate automatically and can withstand 35 kilopascals of backup flow.

But Medicine Hats program is retrofitting houses with isolation devices that are manually closed prior to a flood and can withstand at least 10 times that pressure.

Any residences damaged in last Junes inundation or that a review determines may be at risk from future floods are eligible for assistance.

Of an estimated 570 homes that were damaged by sewer backup in last Junes floods, the city has so far received applications from 336 owners.

Carla Jans, who suffered $15,000 in damage and lost the ability to earn an income operating a day home when her basement filled with over a half metre of sewage last June, is grateful for the help.

Money was tight in our household even before this happened, Jans said.

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