The City of Naperville is offering residents and businesses the opportunity to participate in its Sanitary Sewer Backflow Prevention Device Program where eligible property owners will be reimbursed for 75 percent of the cost to install protective devices of their choice.
The program is open to residents who have experienced a sanitary sewer backup caused by an intense rainfall event or a surcharged sanitary sewer system. The initiative allows for property owners to install the backflow prevention device of their choice, and the City will reimburse 75 percent of the cost. Since the program’s inception in 1981, 253 customers have taken advantage of the program.
As part of the program, property owners will be required to obtain three written quotes in which the City will pre-authorize one of the quotes for work to be performed. The property owner is responsible for scheduling the work and paying the contractor for all associated installation work and restoration costs. Upon completion of the work, the property owner must submit proof of payment to the City before the City will reimburse 75 percent of the agreed quote.
For more information on the program, visit www.naperville.il.us/backflowprevent.aspx or contact Tony Conn, program administrator, at connt@naperville.il.us or (630) 305-5537.
Backflow prevention devices under this program are to address sanitary sewer back-ups only, not storm water or sump pump-related backups, where water has entered the basement through foundation cracks, window wells, doors or as a result of an overwhelmed or failed sump pump. There is no deadline to enter; however, reimbursements will be made at a first-come, first-served basis until the $825,000 budgeted for this fiscal year has been exhausted.
The program is an extension of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce the frequency and severity of sanitary surcharges. The Department of Public Utilities – Water currently has several programs to locate and repair issues related to the City’s infrastructure. Efforts of this ongoing, long-term process include dye testing, cleaning and televising of sanitary sewers, building inspections, flow monitoring, lining and sealing of sewers.
The City has been spending more than $2.2 million annually to reduce excessive stormwater from entering the sanitary sewer system. In June, City Council approved $110,000 for flood-related engineering of the 95th St. Gabion Dam, Naper Blvd., Porter Ave. and the 87th St. Bridge. In addition, City Council also approved the use of a $3.2 million Department of Public Utilities – Water fund balance to expand the Sanitary Sewer Backflow Prevention Program citywide and the Sanitary Sewer Lining Program in the Cress Creek area.
For more info, visit www.naperville.il.us.
