The City has launched the Sanitary Sewer Inspection and Remediation Program as a result of the flooding events many Bexley residents experienced in 2020. This program is designed to assist with identifying on-premises sewer issues that contribute to basement flooding, provide up to $2,000 in grant funding to assist with repairs to on-premises sewer issues, and provide a loan program to assist with costs above and beyond the $2,000 grant program.

Residential Sewer Remediation Program Eligibility:
Property owners shall be eligible to be considered for the program if they:

1. Experienced a Water in Basement ("WIB") event at an owner-occupied residential property on or after March 1, 2020,
2. Completed the City's Flooding and Backup Questionnaire (also available at the bottom of this page)
3. Consent to the terms of the Inspection and Remediation Program, which shall include, but may not be limited to, the following:
   1. Consent to an initial inspection of sewer infrastructure on their property;
   2. Agreement to remedy any property side issues discovered in the initial inspection and/or any subsequent inspection within ten years;
   3. The initial round of applicants to the Bexley Sanitary Sewer Inspection and Remediation Program will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, based upon the availability of funds. Property owners who apply for the program and whose completed applications are received after the initial round of funding has been allocated will be placed on a wait list, subject to the availability of future funding.

Initial Inspection:

1. The Service Director and/or their designee shall review the application to preliminarily determine whether or not a WIB event was suspected to be due to a sanitary sewer system and or 1/1 related issue, and shall arrange for a City paid inspection of the property to assess the condition and connection of sanitary sewer laterals, downspouts, and foundation drains.

The inspection report will identify the issues that are contributing to WIB events and give remediation recommendations needed to be performed by:

1. 1. The Property Owner: To be completed within 10 years, with one post-remediation inspection paid for by the City. Post remediations inspections performed for future remediations will be the responsibility of the property owner.
   2. The City: To be completed within 1 year, if feasible.

City Assistance for Property Side Issues:
Items identified by the report to be completed by the Property Owner will be:

1. Eligible for consideration of up to $2,000 in remediation reimbursement.
2. Eligible for consideration to participate in a City-funded loan program to pay for the remediation, repayable via a special assessment.
3. In order to be eligible for City assistance, property owners must agree to remediate all property side issues discovered during the initial inspection.
4. The City’s maximum remediation reimbursement shall be the lesser of: $2,000, or 80% of the total cost of remediation.

Property Owner Acknowledgement:
Prior to the remediation repairs, eligible residents/property owners must certify and consent to the following:

1. Acknowledgment that water in basement events are often the result of a variety of factors and that backflow preventers will not mitigate other underlying factors, including hydrostatic pressure, surface flooding, and foundation flooding.
2. Certify that any future foundation drains and downspouts will not be connected to the sanitary sewer system and that the sanitary sewer lateral will be maintained in adequate condition to prohibit inflow and infiltration and consent to inspection as deemed necessary by the Director.
3. In the instance of a backflow prevention device being installed, acknowledgement that it is the property owner’s responsibility to
4. Maintain the backflow prevention device.
5. Acknowledge that occupants of the property should not use drains and water-based appliances, including toilets, showers, sinks, bathtubs, dishwashers, and washing machines, in the home while the backflow prevention device is activated.
6. Any other information, acknowledgement, or consent deemed necessary by the Director.

Waiver of Competitive Bidding Requirements:
City Council determines that, in accordance with Section 59 of the Charter, it is in the best interests of the City to waive formal bidding requirements. In lieu of formal bidding requirements, the Director shall seek competitive pricing from three or more contractors for an agreed-upon fixed price for any associated projects in excess of $50,000.

Program Availability:
Program availability will be subject to funding and inspection and contractor scheduling availability.