About 500 property owners across Anderson Township, Mariemont, Terrace Park and Newtown are already eligible for cleanup and repair assistance from the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati after two storms in five days overwhelmed the region's sewer system.
MSD has received more than 1,500 reports of sewer backups since a Friday, July 17 rainstorm, followed by a second storm on Tuesday. MSD Director Diana Christy called the July 17 event a 1,000-year storm, saying rainfall data indicates the city has never experienced that level of intensity.
As of Wednesday, crews had completed about 900 investigations and determined roughly 500 properties qualify for the district's Sewer Backup Program, which covers cleanup costs and property damage repairs, according to WVXU.
Cincinnati City Manager Sheryl Long urged property owners on Thursday not to delay.
"Please do not wait for an MSD investigation to begin cleaning up your home or business," Long said. "Prompt cleanup can help reduce additional damage and minimize potential health risk."
Christy said the district has funding available for immediate cleanup and repair for eligible properties. For future claims beyond the current budget, she said MSD will work with the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners to authorize additional funding.
The sewer district is a City of Cincinnati department, but its service area extends into Anderson Township, Mariemont, Terrace Park, and Newtown. The county commissioners oversee MSD's budget, including customer rates and spending plans.
What qualifies — and what doesn't
MSD investigates each report to determine whether a lack of capacity in the sewer system caused the backup. Not all flooding qualifies. Water that entered through doors, windows or foundation cracks during heavy rain is not covered, according to MSD spokesperson Deb Leonard in an Axios Cincinnati report. Backups caused by a clogged or broken private sewer lateral are also excluded.
Property owners should report a suspected backup within 48 hours of noticing water, Leonard said. That timeline is an important part of eligibility. MSD typically responds within four hours, though the storm volume has slowed crews.
Drying and restoring a flooded basement costs $3,000 to $5,000 on average, according to data from ServiceMaster Restore, a national restoration company, cited by Axios Cincinnati. Damage from contaminated sewer water can exceed $10,000.
How to file
Property owners can report a sewer backup 24/7 by calling 513-352-4900 or submitting a form at msdgc.org/sbu. An ombudsman is available at 513-362-2801 or [email protected].
MSD advises taking photos, saving receipts, and allowing crews to inspect the property to document the claim.
