San Francisco is leading the nation in taking extra steps to protect area homeowners and businesses from preventable flood damage during heavy rains. The new Floodwater Management Grant Program makes available funds for property owners to install extra safeguards to prevent or minimize water damage. ACE Plumbing and Rooter is a certified contractor, well-trained on the program’s processes and can manage each step of the process for you.
The importance of floodwater protection
The city of San Francisco has a vast network of sewer main lines that take wastewater and stormwater runoff and flow it back to processing facilities where it can be properly treated. Excessive water from heavy rains and isolated clogs throughout the system caused by leaves, litter, and debris, can cause localized flooding in low lying areas. The city takes responsibility for sewer line backup and water flowing onto private properties from public right of way like city streets and sidewalks. This program acts like a partnership between the municipality and property owners to minimize property damage caused by flooding and increase the city’s ability to manage severe weather.
Who is eligible for grant money?
Home and business owners with active SFPUC wastewater accounts with documented property damage from previous flooding events caused by sewer line backup and water flowing onto private properties from public right of way like city streets and sidewalks. These property owners begin the process by submitting an eligibility assessment request. Proof of damage can be photographs, video, insurance claims, or repair receipts. Grants will be paid to qualifying property owners based on the types of qualifying projects completed by a certified construction company.
Grants are not available to cover work completed before the start of the program and property owner application.
What is the process?
The city outlines the eligibility and application process in detail on their website, and via materials you can download and review. In a nutshell, once eligibility has been determined, the city will send inspectors to walk through your property and discuss applicable projects. Next, the property owner must seek at least two competing bids from certified contractors, and select the one that fits program standards (within 10% of the lowest priced bid with all project specifications being equal).
Once permits are pulled and the project is completed, the city will repay covered expenses at a percentage that is agreed upon in advance. Project grants are capped at $100,000 per residence. Financial assistance, including upfront payments to contractors, are available to those who qualify.
Qualifying Projects
Design and installation of Regraded Driveways and Raised Planters to flow a surge of surface level storm water away from your house and garage and into city drains.
Adding Backflow Prevention measures (check valves) to your sewer system.
Leach drains, also known as French drains, and sealed external surfaces that flow above and underground water into sewer laterals.
Raising electrical outlets and other compromisable elements inside your garage to above likely flood levels.
Resurfacing garage and crawl spaces with easy-to-clean, bacteria-resistant materials that can be hosed off, mopped and dried after a minor flood without compromising the underlying slab and housing structure.
Design and installation of custom-fit floodwater barriers that can be deployed manually or activated automatically the moment floodwater is detected. These barriers act like steel shutters to protect entry doors, first level windows, and garage doors from incoming water.
Paperwork, Planning, Design and Construction – ACE has you covered!
While the city clearly spells out the process to obtain floodwater management grants, the process for determining eligibility, submitting a proposal, pulling permits, and managing construction can be overwhelming for many busy homeowners. That’s why ACE can help manage the process every step of the way. We can perform an initial assessment and discuss which strategies are eligible for grant payment and which would be solely your responsibility.
Application paperwork, materials selection, permit pulling, inspection coordination, we’ll do it all for you. The last thing you want to do is pay for a project only to find out it does not qualify for grant reimbursement after the fact. ACE is well-trained in the nuances of this program and will guarantee our work meets all city standards and specifications on pre-approved projects.
Learn more about how to properly protect your property from flooding in San Francisco.
We never sell you products or services you don’t need and strive to be a trusted and reliable resource to help you create a flooding prevention strategy that best works for you.
