OVERVIEW

The aim of MSD's Sewer Backup (SBU) Program is to help mitigate the impact of sewer backups caused by the MSD public sewer and to help educate the community about preventing and protecting their property from sewer backups.

The SBU Program has been in operation since January 2004 and was the first of its kind in the nation. Previously known as the Water-in-Basement or WIB program, it is administered in accordance with a federal Consent Decree.¹

• View the SBU Program Report  This report is updated monthly and provides information on the number of properties served by the SBU Program and the amount of assistance provided through the Program.

SBU PROGRAM SERVICES

The SBU Program provides the following services to eligible MSD customers:

• 24/7 reporting of possible sewer backups by phone at (513) 352-4900 or online
  Note that you must report to MSD within 48 hours of discovery to be considered for potential reimbursement.
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• Investigation of the conditions of the possible sewer backup, as established by the SBU Program.
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• Cleaning services for eligible properties.
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• Reimbursement of qualifying damages for eligible properties.
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• Prevention systems or devices for eligible properties.
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¹Consent Decree on Combined Sewer Overflows, Wastewater Treatment Plants and Implementation of Capacity Assurance Program Plan for Sanitary Sewer Overflows” as entered in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, No. C-1-02-107

OMBUDSMAN

The Ombudsman for the SBU Program is the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati. If you have questions about the SBU Program, you can contact the Legal Aid Society at (513) 362-2801.

ELIGIBILITY

Property owners and tenants who experience a backup of wastewater into buildings due to inadequate capacity or certain maintenance-related issues in the public sewer may be eligible for assistance under the SBU Program. Note, however, that not all sewer backups are eligible for assistance from MSD.

The public sewer is operated and maintained by MSD. Private building sewers, which extend from the building to the point of connection with the public sewer, are owned and maintained by property owners.

Property owners are responsible for:

• Keeping the entire length of the private building sewer line clear of clogs, even the portions of the private line that lie under the publicly owned sidewalks and streets.
• Maintaining and repairing broken or collapsed portions that are located on the private property. In some instances, MSD may undertake the repair of the portion of a broken or collapsed private building sewer that is located within a public easement or public right-of-way.

Scroll down to learn more about eligibility for MSD assistance through the SBU Program.

For more information on the origin of the SBU Program, please see the Consent Decree