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Enid staff propose reimbursing homeowners up to $1,000 for sewer backflow preventers amid rising claims
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Summary
City staff proposed a program to reimburse residents who voluntarily install sanitary sewer backflow prevention systems — up to 100% of cost, capped at $1,000 — as local and statewide sewer-backup claims accelerate, and outlined a five‑year cleaning plan and outreach strategy.
City staff on Tuesday detailed a proposed incentive program that would reimburse homeowners who voluntarily install sanitary sewer backflow prevention systems, part of a broader effort to curb rising sewer‑backup claims and liability costs.
The proposal, presented by staff members identified in the meeting as Melissa and Brooke, would add amendments to city code related to the capital improvement and replacement account (Title 2, Chapter 6) to create a voluntary reimbursement pathway. Staff said installation costs for a typical residential backflow prevention system are estimated at about $500 to $750 and recommended reimbursing 100% of the documented cost, with a per‑customer cap of $1,000.
“We have a big issue,” Melissa said, summarizing data from the city’s insurer. She cited Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG) figures showing 841 sanitary sewer backup claims statewide over the past five years totaling $10,063,691 and said Enid has seen roughly 34 claims over the past three years. Meeting testimony updated the local total to $454,286 to date.
Brooke, who described the city’s operational response, outlined a newly implemented five‑year sewer‑cleaning program that divides the city into five zones for annual cleaning, supplements that with targeted point repairs and root control, and uses video inspection to find defects. “We start in engineering,” Brooke said, citing roughly $1 million a year in video inspection and repairs; in 2025 staff inspected more than 117,000 feet of sewer main and applied root control to about 75,000 linear feet.
Under the proposed voluntary program, property owners would submit an application and permit, have the work inspected, and provide receipts for reimbursement. The city would require a limited release tied specifically to damages caused by the backflow prevention device the city reimbursed for; ongoing maintenance of each device would remain the homeowner’s responsibility. Staff also proposed outreach at community fairs and builders’ events to encourage uptake.
Commissioners welcomed the approach as a proactive measure to reduce claims and long‑term costs. Gerald said the program would be paired with budgeted reimbursements next year and suggested a targeted subset of the program to prioritize high‑risk properties or to contract qualified plumbers for installation assistance. Mayor David M. Mason encouraged homeowners in higher‑risk areas and those with basements to consider the devices.
Staff framed the measure as complementary to prior code changes that already require backflow prevention on many new or substantially improved structures; the new proposal focuses on existing construction.
Next steps: staff said they would refine the ordinance language and return the proposal for formal consideration at a future meeting. No formal vote to adopt the incentive program was taken at Tuesday’s session.
