Can a window well drain into my sump in Barrhaven?

Every window well shall be drained to the footing level or another suitable location under Ontario's Building Code (clause 9.14.6.3). Whether "another suitable location" includes your sump pit is a question for the City's Building Code Services before the work starts, because the Code names the footing drain as the reference point and your contractor's proposed routing may or may not satisfy that.

The practical question is where that drainage goes from the sump. A sump pump discharges above grade, and the City advises directing that discharge at least 1.2 m from the foundation. If the window well drains into the sump pit and the pump sends it back toward the house, you have not solved the drainage problem. Ask the contractor to show you on a sketch exactly where the water travels from the well to the pit and from the pit to the discharge point, and confirm the discharge location stays well clear of the foundation.

A few things worth asking before work starts:

• Whether the proposed drain connection counts as an alteration or addition to the plumbing system, which would require a building permit under the City's rules. Replacing a window well at an existing window is not named on either the permit or the exempt list, so ask the City's Building Code Services before the work starts.
• Whether a licensed plumber does or signs off the plumbing part of the connection, since plumber is a compulsory trade in Ontario.
• Where the drain line runs and whether any digging is involved. If anyone digs, Ontario Dig Authority asks for a locate request at least 5 business days before digging starts.

A written quote for this work should name the window well size and drainage route, the connection point to the sump or footing drain, who pulls any required permit, who requests the locate if digging is needed, and who handles the plumbing portion.

Before the work is done, ask the contractor to confirm in writing which permit, if any, they will pull.