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Cleanup Assistance
Under the new program, which began January 1, 2004, MSD is now able to provide professional cleanup assistance at no charge — after a sewer backup into a private home or business has occurred — to eligible property owners and tenants.
Eligibility
To be eligible for cleanup assistance, the following must be true:
- You are an MSD customer.
- Your sewer backup was caused by a problem in the public sewer.
- Your sewer backup occurred on or after January 1, 2004.
You are an MSD customer if your property is located in Hamilton County and connected to the public sewer system. The cause of your sewer backup will be determined by MSD technicians, who will visit your area to investigate the problem. If they find that the backup is related to conditions in the public sewer, you will be approved for cleanup and a customer service representative will contact you to schedule a cleanup appointment.
However, if the problem is caused by blockages in your private sewer line (between your house and the public sewer line in the street) or overland flooding, you will not be eligible for cleanup assistance.
More details can be found in our brochure, Lateral Lines: A Guide to Your Sewer Line.
Limitations
There are two important limitations you need to be aware of with respect
to this new program:
- MSD WIB cleanup services are limited to the basement areas and items affected by the current sewer backup. Conditions related to previous sewer backups, or to water intrusion through basement walls, ceilings, floors, doors, or windows, are not covered by this program.
- If your property has a history of sewer backups related to the public sewer, you will be advised to elevate all appliances and contents above the high water line, and to refrain from refinishing and refurnishing the area for two years until MSD can correct the problem. In the meantime, if your basement has another sewer backup caused by the public sewer, MSD will re-clean the flooded area, but will not remove any damaged property.
Insurance Coverage
If you have a sewer backup, notify your insurance agency as soon as possible so an agent can properly advise you about your coverage. State law requires private insurance to be used first in damage cases where a municipality is involved.
