As part of the City of Chicopee’s ongoing commitment to eliminate wet weather sewage backups into homes, a Sewer Backup Prevention and Cost Sharing Program has recently been established. The Program provides reimbursements to eligible residential and commercial property owners for work done to reduce the risk of sanitary sewer backups into their homes and businesses.

Under this new program, property owners with service connections to the City’s combined sewer system who are at moderate or worse risk of experiencing backups can receive reimbursement of 75% of eligible expenses, up to $2,000, for modifications to prevent sewage backups during wet weather. The City will determine final eligibility, and funds are available on a first come, first served basis.

The City will be notifying residents who have experienced backups with a mailer on the new program.

More information on eligibility and what to do next is available on the City’s webpage via the following link:

http://chicopeema.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8115/Sewer-Backup-Prevention-and-Cost-Sharing-Program-PDF-?bidId

To determine eligibility and apply for the program residents must do the following:

• Call the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) to discuss your property and set up an inspection to determine eligibility;
• If you are deemed eligible by the City, submit the Sewer Backup Prevention & Cost Sharing application packet to the WPCF.  Copies of the application are available at the WPCF;
• Once the work is completed, call the WPCF to schedule an inspection; and
• After the City’s inspection, submit a Reimbursement Form to the WPCF.

If you have questions on this program please contact Quinn Lonczak at 413-594-3585

“As we continue with our Sewer Separation Projects, this Backup Prevention Program provides interim relief to our residents who may still be facing sewer backups until our work reaches them,” said Mayor Richard J. Kos.

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