Due to Heavy July Rains, City Will Reimburse Some Homeowners up to 50% for Backflow Preventers
Alexandria has reinstated its sewer Backflow Preventer (BFP) Assistance Program for homeowners in designated areas that historically experience basement back-ups or flooding. The City Manager approved the additional backflow preventer effort in the wake of torrential rainfall between July 17 and 22.
The program reimburses homeowners for up to 50 percent of the cost of installing a BFP device by a licensed plumbing contractor, up to a maximum of $2,000. The City’s designated Backflow Preventer Assistance Program eligibility area is located in the Commonwealth Avenue area (see map). Additional locations may be approved by the Director of Transportation and Environmental Services upon application.
The current program period is from July 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018.
Back-ups occur when excessive rainwater enters the sanitary sewer system and overwhelms the system’s capacity, causing sewer backflow into homes and businesses. A BFP protects against basement back-ups by temporarily closing the building’s connection to the street sewer system during sewage back-ups. BFP’s can function automatically or be operated manually by homeowners.
For more information, and a BFP Assistance Program application, Alexandria homeowners should call the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services at 703.746.4014. Additional information is available on the City’s website at www.alexandriava.gov/tes.
