DC Water today launched another program to help residents of the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods protect their homes from sewer flooding during extreme storms. This new rebate program entitles qualifying property owners to receive reimbursement for up to $3,000 for installing pre-approved flood-proofing measures.

The program will be offered for properties that may have a history of sewage entering from outside sources. DC Water will help with the cost of purchase and installation of approved flood-proofing measures, including doorway barriers, window well protection and the regrading of yards. DC Water will offer qualified property owners free home consultations to identify which flood-proofing measures are appropriate.

DC Water previously offered a similar rebate program to reimburse property owners in Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park for the cost of installing backwater valves to protect their homes from sewer back-ups. To date, property owners who have taken advantage of the backwater valve rebate program have installed rebated backwater valves at over 75 properties.

DC Water will contact property owners who are eligible for the new flood-proofing rebate program. Residents can also call Emanuel Briggs – Community Outreach Manager at 202-787-2003 if they have questions about the program.

The rebate programs are only part of DC Water’s efforts to help alleviate historic flooding problems in these two low-lying neighborhoods. Ultimately, the risk of flooding will be greatly reduced by the construction of huge stormwater storage tunnels as part of the DC Clean Rivers Project. The First Street Tunnel in Bloomingdale will be completed this spring, and construction of the Northeast Boundary Tunnel will begin in 2017. For more information visit our website at: www.dcwater.com/bloomingdale.