Naperville looking to reduce sewer backups

Naperville is offering residents and businesses a chance to participate in its Sanitary Sewer Backflow Prevention Device Program, where eligible property owners are reimbursed for 75% of the cost to install a prevention device of their choice.

The program is open to anyone living in the city who has experienced a sanitary sewer backup caused by an intense rainfall event. Since the program's inception in 1981, more than 400 customers have taken advantage of the program.

As part of the program, property owners are 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 before the city will reimburse 75% of the agreed quote.

For more information about the program, visit www.naperville.il.us/backflowprevent, or contact Katy Librizzi, program administrator, at (630) 305-5994 or librizzik@naperville.il.us.

Backflow prevention devices under this program are to address sanitary sewer backups only, not stormwater 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.

The program is an extension of the city's ongoing efforts to reduce the frequency and severity of sanitary surcharges. The water utility currently has several programs using city crews, consultant engineers and contractors to locate and repair issues related to infrastructure.

In 2019, the city budgeted more than $4 million for sanitary sewer rehabilitations to reduce excessive stormwater from entering the sanitary sewer system. Rehabilitation work includes sanitary mainline lining, manhole lining, manhole replacement and service lateral lining and grouting.