An Update on Louisville MSD's Basement Backflow Prevention Program – 10 Years and 6,700 Installations Later

Abstract

Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) is responsible for stormwater and wastewater service for the Louisville, Kentucky metropolitan area. A longstanding problem for MSD has been basement flooding due to sewers that are surcharged from wet weather. A non-traditional program was developed by MSD as a means to address this problem in a cost effective and timely manner. The Plumbing Modification Program began in 1993 as part of the combined sewer overflow program. The program pays for the installation of plumbing modifications inside of customers homes to protect against basement flooding due to wet weather surcharged sewers. Initially established for the combined sewer area only, the program has grown to include the entire combined and sanitary sewer service area. The program has been extremely successful. To date approximately 6,700 installations have been completed with a total construction cost of over $10.5 million.