Baltimore City Department of Public Works Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. today announced that a new Expedited Reimbursement Program for sewage backup cleaning and disinfection goes into effect this Friday, April 6, 2018. The program allows for reimbursement to residential customers for cleaning and disinfection costs associated with sewage backups caused by wet weather.  Events that occurred before April 6, 2018 are not eligible. 

-The Expedited Reimbursement Program is limited to capacity related sewage backups caused by wet weather only. Basement backups caused by water main breaks, clogged pipes, maintenance issues, or other non-wet weather issues are not eligible for this program. 

-The Expedited Reimbursement Program is limited to residential customers within the limits of Baltimore City.   

-This program is not a determination of liability.

-To qualify, a resident must notify the City (call 311 or go online) within 24 hours of the backup, and file an “Application for Expedited Reimbursement of Building Backup” within 90 days.

-The Expedited Program is administered by the DPW Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs (OLRA).

-Applications will be accepted by email, U.S. Mail, or equivalent commercial delivery:

            Baltimore City DPW
            Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs
            Abel Wolman Municipal Building
            200 Holliday Street
            Baltimore, MD 21202
            410-396-7755
            reimbursement@baltimorecity.gov

-Applications are available online – https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/sewer-consent-decree/building-backups, in the DPW Customer Support and Services Walk-In Center at 200 Holliday Street, and upon request.

-Documentation of all cleanup/disinfection costs must be provided, and other requirements are posted with the application. The maximum reimbursement is $2,500 per event, and DPW will process applications within 60 days.

-For more information please go to publicworks.baltimorecity.gov, email reimbursement@baltimorecity.gov, or call 410-396-7755 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

-Residents can also file a claim with the Baltimore City Law Department for property damage and related claims.