I introduced the"Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park Backflow Prevention and Sandbag Act of 2012," with several of my colleagues joining me as co-introducers including: Councilmembers Jim Graham, Kenyan McDuffie and Michael Brown. Moreover, several of my colleagues served as co-sponsors on this critical legislation including: Chairman Phil Mendeslon, Councilmembers Muriel Bowser, Jack Evans and Yvette Alexander. Specifically, this measure will require DC Water and the District Department of Public Works ("DPW") to conduct an analysis to determine which residences in Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods require backflow preventers and sandbags; and, to require DC Water and DPW to subsidize the cost and installation of backflow preventers and to provide an adequate amount of sandbags to property owners.
The recent floods impacting the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods have affirmed my belief that this is one of the most urgent issues facing the District today. I find it deplorable that DC residents have been subjected to unmitigated water damage, exposure to raw sewage, and personal property damage. Although, a good faith effort is being made by DC water in offering a 90 percent rebate towards the cost of purchasing a backflow preventer, averaging about $3,000 dollars per property owner, a more viable solution would be to match the expense according to up-to-date estimates from plumbers. The range in cost to purchase and install a backflow preventer is from $10,000 to $21,000 dollars. This measure addresses the real cost incurred, while providing an immediate short-term remedy to this on-going crisis, until a permanent solution involving infrastructure upgrades can be thoroughly implemented.
All residents who are concerned about this issue are encouraged to testify during an upcoming hearing convened by the Committee on the Environment and Public Works and Transportation this Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 2:00 p.m., at the John A. Wilson Building in room 120. If you wish to testify at this hearing, please contact the Office of Councilmember Mary Cheh at 202-724-8062 or email: Drew Newman at dnewman@dccouncil.us.
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I co-introduced the "District of Columbia Flood Assistance Fund Amendment Act of 2012," with Councilmembers Kenyan McDuffie, Jim Graham and Michael Brown. This measure will require the Director of the District Department of the Environment to execute a Flood Assistance Fund to pay individual claims from sewer line backup and overland flooding damage to home and personal property.
To read Councilmember Orange's full Email, go here.
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