Roseville updates residential sewer-backup assistance policy, raises cleanup cap to $7,500

The Roseville City Council on June 2 approved revisions to the city’s residential sanitary sewer backup cleanup assistance policy, increasing the cleanup reimbursement cap and clarifying which residential property types are eligible.

Public Works Director Jesse Fryhammer told council the policy, first adopted in 2011, provides immediate assistance when city mains cause residential sewer backups and the city contracts cleanup vendors directly. Under the update, the per-incident cleanup reimbursement cap rises from $5,000 to $7,500; the subsidy for backflow-prevention devices increases from $300 to $500. Staff estimated the change would cost the sewer fund an additional roughly $10,000 annually.

The revised policy also defines eligible residential properties as single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and townhomes with individual sewer services; staff said larger apartment buildings and most commercial properties are typically not affected because of slab foundations or different plumbing configurations. Fryhammer noted the city averages five to 10 cleanup assistance calls per year and that most incidents previously reached the prior $5,000 cap.

Council members supported the update, noting the relief provides residents prompt service from vetted vendors during stressful emergencies. Council approved the updated policy unanimously.