Backup Prevention Program

• You must be a customer of the City of Garden City Sewer Utility.
• Priority will be given to properties in the Wilson Addition, Amy Street Townhomes Addition, and Campus Gardens South Subdivision with documented storm-related backup events.
• Your home must have experienced a confirmed sanitary sewer backup event due to an intense rain event or be proximate to previous backup events.
• The backup must have resulted from a capacity problem in the sanitary sewer system during a rain event.

The Backup Prevention Program is not eligible for use on new construction where installing a backwater valve is already a requirement of current City of Garden City plumbing or construction codes or regulations.

A backwater device is installed on the customer's sewer lateral connection to the sanitary sewer system. This sewer lateral connection is the pipe that connects the customer's property to the City sewer main. The device must be installed downstream of any drains or openings to the sewer lateral connection. During a sewer backup, the backwater valve is designed to close and prevent water from backing up into the property.

The device is designed to protect the property during heavy rains, but a backwater device will not solve other sewer lateral issues such as roots, cracks, or broken pipes. It also will not solve basement integrity issues such as cracks in walls, floors, or window well leakage.

The application process involves meeting the eligibility requirements and submitting an application that provides information regarding the property applying to participate.

1. The application is submitted to the Department of Public Works and Public Utilities, and a City representative contacts the customer to confirm eligibility.
2. Two licensed plumbers of the customer's choosing will inspect the property and provide a cost estimate for installing a backwater valve if a backwater valve is not present.
3. If the plumbing inspection reveals a backwater valve is present at the property, corrective action may be taken to repair the existing valve if it is properly installed.
4. The customer submits the estimates to the City and confirms that the proposed work will meet the program's intent. The customer may select the contractor of their choice, but the reimbursement will be for the lowest dollar amount of the comparable estimate submitted.
5. The licensed plumber performing the installation of the backwater valve is required to obtain a plumbing permit from the City of Garden City Department of Neighborhood and Development Services.
6. The installation is inspected for proper installation by the City inspector and verification of work completed.
7. The customer provides the paid receipt for the work completed, and a reimbursement payment is processed by the City.

Two licensed plumbers of the customer's choosing will inspect the property and provide a cost estimate for installing a backwater valve if a backwater valve is not present.

If the plumbing inspection reveals a backwater valve is present at the property, corrective action may be taken to repair the existing valve if it is properly installed.

The customer submits the estimates to the City and confirms that the proposed work will meet the program's intent. The customer may select the contractor of their choice, but the reimbursement will be for the lowest dollar amount of the comparable estimate submitted.

The licensed plumber performing the installation of the backwater valve is required to obtain a plumbing permit from the City of Garden City Department of Neighborhood and Development Services.

Homeowners utilizing a backwater valve on their sewer system must know that the valve will require ongoing maintenance to operate properly. Most valves contain serviceable parts and can be maintained by a plumber or a homeowner according to manufacturer specifications. The Department of Public Works and Public Utilities will maintain educational materials regarding the maintenance and use of backwater valves. However, it is the property owner's responsibility to maintain backwater valves.

Applications may be delivered in person at the Utility Service Center or mailed to the City. If you have questions regarding an application or determining eligibility, please call 620-276-1280, we will be happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment. We also have additional resources available on the Garden City website

In-Person:

City of Garden City - Utility Service Center
140 Harvest Street
Garden City, KS

Via United States Postal Service:

City of Garden City
Department of Public Works and Public Utilities
P.O. Box 998
Garden City, KS 67846-0998