FORT WRIGHT, Ky. — Following a stretch of heavy rain and flooding, Sanitation District No. 1 invites northern Kentucky customers impacted by recent weather-related sanitary sewer backups to apply for financial help.
SD1 — responsible for collecting and treating wastewater in northern Kentucky — offers financial assistance to homeowners through the Backup Assistance Program. Through the program, homeowners can install a backup solution in their basements, SD1 officials said, designed to protect homes.
“We are planning several improvement projects in strategic areas that will help address flooding and sewer backups, but none of these projects will completely eliminate the risk of flooding during extreme weather,” said SD1 Executive Director Adam Chaney. “Our Backup Assistance Program is in place to protect homes when storm systems become inundated during major rain events.”
Sanitary backups can happen when storm water and wastewater from homes and businesses flow through the same pipes, becoming overwhelmed by excess water.
Residents of Euclid Avenue in Covington are familiar with heavy rains causing the sewer lines to back up, flooding the street and their basements with sewage water. They experienced flooding in mid-June.
SD1 said residents who have taken advantage of the program notice a difference, like Patti Higgins of Latonia.
“I filled out the paperwork, hired a plumber to install a backflow valve, submitted the bill to SD1 and got reimbursed for the work within the month,” Higgins said. She used to run to clear her basement floor any time rain was in the forecast.
Any customer experiencing a sewer backup should contact SD1 immediately at 859-578-7450 (select Option 1) and report the backup to help SD1 identify problem areas.
Customers who qualify to participate in the Backup Assistance Program can work with a licensed plumber of their choice to determine the best backup solution for their home.
Possible solutions include a backflow valve or a sewage ejector pump. SD1 may provide the full cost of the backup solution.
