Backwater Valves Protect Basements
Full Mitigation Best Practice Story
Cumberland County, Maine
South Portland, ME - The City of South Portland has an old combined sewer system. When it rains, all of the runoff goes into the system. When heavy rain and flooding occurs, the sewer system is overwhelmed and the cellars of houses are swamped. This has resulted in health hazards and repeated damage to items in the basements.
Homeowners with backflow problems called David Thomas, Collection Systems Manager for the City of South Portland, who got the idea to have backflow preventers installed in homes with such problems. Thomas then applied for a Hazard Mitigation Grant made available from an October 1996 disaster declaration.
In February 1998, the City began its Backwater Valve Program and installed valves in 89 participating houses within 5 months. Each valve cost $397, including installation. The city council approved expenditure of $35,000. Of that, the Federal share was $26,250 and the City paid the rest.
The program is considered a success. Despite a June 1998 rainfall of more than 10 inches that caused flooding across central and southern Maine, none of the participating homeowners reported flooding. Since the valves were installed, the City has not received any calls from distressed homeowners. Savings in avoided damages from the 1998 flood and future floods is expected to be at least $75,000.
Standard Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover flood damage. The National Flood Insurance Program makes Federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in participating communities.
Activity/Project Location
| Geographical Area: |
Single County in a State |
| FEMA Region: |
Region I |
| State: |
Maine |
| County: |
Cumberland County
|
| City/Community: |
South Portland
|
Key Activity/Project Information
| Sector: |
Public |
| Hazard Type: |
Severe Storm;
Flooding
|
| Activity/Project Type: |
Flood-proofing;
Flood Control;
Utility Protective Measures
|
| Activity/Project Start Date: |
02/1998 |
| Activity/Project End Date: |
06/1998 |
| Funding Source: |
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP);
Local Sources
|
| Funding Recipient: |
Local Government |
| Funding Recipient Name: |
City of South Portland, Collection Systems |
Activity/Project Economic Analysis
| Cost: |
$35,000.00 (Actual)
|
Activity/Project Disaster Information
| Mitigation Resulted From Federal Disaster? |
Yes |
| Federal Disaster #: |
1143 , 10/28/1996 |
| Value Tested By Disaster? |
Yes |
| Tested By Federal Disaster #: |
No Federal Disaster specified
|
| Year First Tested: |
1998 |
| Repetitive Loss Property? |
Unknown |
Show Main PointsHide Main Points
Main Points
- Valves prevent backflow into homes
- In February 1998, the City began its Backwater Valve Program and installed valves in 89 participating houses within 5 months.
- Since the valves were installed, the City has not received any calls from distressed homeowners. Savings in avoided damages from the 1998 flood and future floods is expected to be at least $75,000.
|
Attachments
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No Attachments are available
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Last Updated: Sep 13, 2007
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