Heil Plumbing Highlights Reimbursement for Sewer Line Backup Cleaning Costs

Jessup, MD. - Many residents in the Baltimore area are affected by sewer line backups in their homes every year. There were more than 7,000 backups reported in 2020 alone. Developing a reimbursement program in April 2018 was one of the city's initiatives to combat the problem. Those who subscribe to the program may receive reimbursement up to $5,000 for sewer backup cleaning costs from the city through the Department of Public Works.

Despite this, only 120 reimbursement requests have been filed by residents since the program began in April 2018. Of those applications, just 19 were approved. Throughout the same period, the city experienced more than 18,700 reports concerning sewage backups in homes.

Baltimore's old and overburdened sewer system is to blame for sewage backups in homes. The city's current sewer system is over a century old. The pipes around the city of Baltimore are misaligned, cracked in some areas, and otherwise faulty. Because of the faults, storms and groundwater can flood the sewer system, resulting in sewage backups. After signing an agreement in 2002 with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and the Maryland Department of the Environment, the city has, so far, invested more than $830 million in preventing overflows and improving sewer infrastructure.

To apply for the reimbursement, homeowners, and tenants can submit an online application, submit an email application, or send an application by mail. In addition to supporting documents, including copies of receipts for cleaning and disinfection costs, applicants must apply within 24 hours of the backup.

Heil Plumbing knows the struggle many Baltimore residents have faced and encourages those who have experienced a sewage backup to apply for the program. Heil Plumbing offers reliable plumbing solutions to the communities of Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County. With over 40 years of industry experience, the team of expert plumbers at Heil Plumbing is available 24/7 to provide emergency plumbing in Ellicott City and the surrounding areas. For more information, give them a call anytime at (410) 799-7727 or visit them online at www.heilplumbing.com.