City Code Section
- A. Backflow device reimbursement. A property owner may submit an application for partial reimbursement of the cost for installation of a sewer backflow device on a combined sewer line. To be eligible, the building or structure must be connected to the City combined sewer system and be in an area vulnerable to sewer backups, as determined by the City Administrator. All backflow devices installed pursuant to this Section will be owned by the building owner, who must assume the costs of maintenance, repair and replacement.
- 1. Backflow devices must be installed per Portland City Code Title 25, Plumbing Regulations.
- 2. If the reimbursement is approved, the building owner must pay the first $100 of the cost of such installation, and the City pays the next $1,500 of such costs. The building owner must pay any amount in excess of $1,600. Payment to the property owner of the City’s share of the expense is made upon Portland Permitting & Development’s final inspection and the owner’s submittal of the plumber’s billing for the work.
- 3. City participation in the cost of installation does not guarantee or in any manner warrant any backflow device, nor does the City give any guarantee that the device will prevent future flooding. The City does not assume any responsibility for damages incurred as a result of flooding subsequent to installation of any backflow device. The owner may look to a warranty or guarantee from the manufacturer of the backflow device or the installation contractor.
- B. Sewer and drainage system improvements.
- 1. Improvements required for development. As a general rule, all expenses incurred for the construction of public sewer and drainage system improvements required to serve a developing property or as a condition of approval are the sole responsibility of the property owner or their agent. Public sewer and drainage system improvements required to serve the developing property that incidentally benefit other properties or the City are not eligible for cost-sharing reimbursement, including but not limited to situations where a sewer extension passes properties located between the existing public sewer and the developing property.
- 2. City-requested improvements. When the City requests improvements to the public sewer and drainage system that exceed the applicable City design standards otherwise required to serve the developing property, the City may enter into a mutual cost-sharing agreement with the property owner or their agent. Cost-sharing amounts are based on available funds. Only the proportional costs associated with the excess improvements, as determined by the City Administrator, are eligible for cost-sharing reimbursement.
- 3. Amount of Cost share. As general policy, the City will reimburse the difference in cost between the improvements required to serve the developing property and the additional improvements requested by the City.
- a. Certain common improvement types will be reimbursed using standard unit costs that are established based on recent engineering estimates, project costs, and bid estimates.
- b. Other improvements that are completed as part of the development project that further the bureau’s system planning goals and benefit the City are eligible for cost-sharing reimbursements at the sole discretion of the City Administrator. These will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and documented in a mutual cost-sharing agreement. Bureau-estimated reimbursement amounts will be based on recent, previous construction costs. All reimbursements are subject to available funding.