Res. No. 341
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.9342/S.8581, in relation to expanding eligibility for participation in the resilient retrofits loan and grant program and establishing a fund to support that program.
Council Members Williams and Gennaro
Whereas, According to New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), sewer backups occur when wastewater cannot flow freely in the sewer system, often causing home backups and local flooding; and
Whereas, Low-lying neighborhoods with poor drainage capacity can experience sewer backups, which can also be caused by failing infrastructure; and
Whereas, The Queens Chronical, a Queens based online publication, reported that in 2019 a collapsed pipe in the sewer main flooded more than 100 homes in South Ozone Park with sewage; and
Whereas, According to Queens Daily Eagle, a local newspaper, as of January 12, 2024, a section in East Elmhurst, Queens, has a public sewer line that experiences chronic backups, leading to flooding after an average rainfall; and
Whereas, The Queens Daily Eagle article also mentioned that impacted East Elmhurst residents had sewer water flooding into their basements and homes, leading to anxiety, health problems, and significant financial damages; and
Whereas, Complaints of sewer backup in New York City (NYC) are increasing, rising from 11,562 in 2022 to 12,454 in 2023 according to NYC Open Data; and
Whereas, This trend highlights the pressing need for upgrades to prevent further disruptions and potential health hazards to residents, but the costs can be significant; and
Whereas, According to DEP, property owners are responsible for maintaining their plumbing, including sewer lines connected to city main lines and repairing a sewer line break in New York City typically costs between $10,000 and $15,000; and
Whereas, Backwater valves stop contaminated water from getting back into homes but installation costs for installation range from $3,000 to $5,000 for one-story buildings and $3,750 to $5,500 for small two-story structures, according to the DEP; and
Whereas, A.9342, sponsored by Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson and pending in the New York State Assembly, and companion bill S.8581, sponsored by State Senator Leroy Comrie and pending in the New York State Senate, would create a program to offer low- to no-interest loans to property owners for hazard mitigation, cleanups, and upgrades of private sewers; and
Whereas, A.9342/S.8581 would cover up to 80% of the total costs associated with these essential sewer system enhancements; and
Whereas, Creating a program to address sewer backflow issues in New York will improve the safety, financial stability, housing security, and well-being for impacted residents; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.9342/S.8581, in relation to expanding eligibility for participation in the resilient retrofits loan and grant program and establishing a fund to support that program.
JLC
LS 16132
3/27/2024