Title
Resolution Adopting Rules and Regulations for the Operation of the Water and Wastewater System of the City of Greensboro Effective February 1, 2021 to Incorporate the Sanitary Sewer Backup Policy (SSBP)
Body
Council Priority: Maintain Infrastructure and Provide Sustainable Growth Opportunities
Department: Water Resources
Council District: All
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Mike Borchers, 336-373-2494
Contact 2 and Phone: Chuck Watts, 336-373-3260
PURPOSE:
The Water Resources Department requests a change to the Rules and Regulations for the Operation of the Water and Wastewater System (Rules) to incorporate the SSBP policy. City Council approval is required for the changes to these Rules and approval of the policy.
BACKGROUND:
Rules and Regulations Section 6.81(b) of the Charter of the City of Greensboro and Section 29-6 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinance authorizes the adoption of Rules and Regulations for the Operation of the Water and Wastewater System of the City of Greensboro (Rules) Effective February 1, 2021. Proposed revisions include the incorporation of the Sanitary Sewer Policy. <https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=47842>
Water Resources in collaboration with Legal Department has developed a Sanitary Sewer Backup Policy (SSBP) to assist property owners / tenants who do not realize that their property is vulnerable to a sewer backup, that may not have the appropriate insurance coverage, and that have suffered a backflow caused by a sewer main blockage. This no-fault policy applies only in those circumstances in which the City is not negligent. In addition to assisting these property owners / tenants who have experienced a sewer backup, the policy will provide consistent claims management and define the claims process when a sewer backflow arises. Additional information and a presentation on the proposed policy was provided at the December 1, 2020 City Council work session.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Funds are available in the current budget account. A claim analysis performed showed that the City paid $453,801 total claims between 2015-2020. The analysis completed shows that if the policy applied the total claims payment would have been $127,773 while the total claims payments if the policy applied would have been $345,000 if the payment ceiling of $15,000 was applied. Based on the analysis, the proposed policy will not increase the current cost.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Water Resources recommends and requests that City Council approves the changes to the Rules and Regulations for the Operation of the Water and Wastewater System of the City of Greensboro effective February 1, 2021 to include Sanitary Sewer Backflow Policy (SSBP).