Res. No. 2169
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.1255/S.1735, which authorizes homeowners and not-for-profit agencies in New York City to receive an abatement of real property taxes up to two thousand dollars for the cost of installing sewer improvement check valve devices on certain dwellings.
By Council Members Gennaro, Barron, Brewer, Comrie, Fidler, Gentile, James, Palma, Sanders Jr., Seabrook, Stewart, Weprin, Gerson, Nelson and Mendez
Whereas, Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water (industrial wastewater, rainwater, and street runoff) through a cross connection and into the piping of a public water system or a consumer’s potable (drinking) water system; and
Whereas, Backflow occurs when pollutants or contaminants enter into the safe
drinking water system through an uncontrolled cross connection; and
Whereas, A cross connection exists whenever the drinking water system is, or could be, connected to any non-potable source (i.e. plumbing fixture, or any equipment used in a plumbing system); and
Whereas, To control these cross-connections and prevent backflow, a sewer improvement check valve, or “backflow device”, must be installed at the point of the cross connection; and
Whereas, Approximately 70% of the City’s sewers operate on a combined sewer system, where potable and non-potable water are collected in the same sewers and then conveyed together to the City’s treatment plants; and
Whereas, During periods of heavy rain and snow, when the groundwater is high, and the capacity of the system is exceeded, combined sewers fill to capacity and are unable to carry the combined potable and non-potable water to the plants; and
Whereas, If the water cannot flow to the plants, then the mix of storm water and untreated water may flow through residential sink drains, and flood drains on lower levels, such as basements; and
Whereas, On July 18, 2007 and August 8, 2007, New York City experienced such extreme flooding caused by torrential rain that the Federal Emergency Management Agency deemed many homeowners and not-for-profit groups, who suffered major property damage, eligible for “disaster” assistance; and
Whereas, Backflow devices allow water to flow away from the sinks, drains, and basements of homeowners and not-for-profit groups, thereby preventing sewage from backing up into their basement and sink drains; and
Whereas, Such devices will help prevent homeowners and not-for-profit groups from enduring severe financial hardship from property damage and cleaning expenses due to backflow; and
Whereas, The high cost of backflow devices, which can range from $1,400 to $3,000 in New York City, may deter homeowners and not-for-profit groups from purchasing and installing the device; and
Whereas, Allowing homeowners and not-for-profit groups to receive a property tax abatement of up to 50% of the cost to install a backflow device (up to $2,000) will allow them to take a proactive measure to protect their property against flooding; and
Whereas, Until the City makes the massive infrastructure improvements necessary to solve this problem, homeowners and not-for-profit groups can prevent raw sewage backflow by installing a sewer line check valve; and
Whereas, A tax abatement is necessary to make the check valve affordable; and
Whereas, In the 2009 New York State legislative session, the State Legislature introduced A.1255/S.1735; and
Whereas, These bills would amend the Real Property Tax law to provide homeowners and nonprofit institutions in New York City with an abatement equal to fifty percent (up to two thousand dollars) towards the cost of installing a sewer line check valve to prevent sewage backflow; and
Whereas, For homeowners the abatement will be a credit against their property tax, while for nonprofit organizations the abatement will be a credit against their sewer and water bill; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.1255/S.1735, which authorizes homeowners and not-for-profit agencies in New York City to receive an abatement of real property taxes up to two thousand dollars for the cost of installing sewer improvement check valve devices on certain dwellings.
TE
LS 7567
8-14-09