Plympton-Wyoming will spend $100,000 to help reduce the chance of homes flooding during large rainfalls. And the people who waded through water last summer are first in line for a fix.

July 19, 67 millimeters of rain fell in an hour in Wyoming – 86.9 millimeters through the whole storm – flooding streets across the village. While much of it drained away, around the Baptist Church on Broadway Street, water lapped up onto driveways and into basements taking hours to dissipate.

Officials say the heavy rain was made worse because some older homes have sump pumps hooked into the sanitary sewers and do not have a backwater valve, which stops water from entering the home to the sump pump. 

“ Removing sump pumps from the sanitary sewer will reduce the likelihood of the sewer becoming overwhelmed during a rainfall event. The installation of a backwater valve will reduce the risk of sewage entering into a dwelling if a sanitary sewer becomes overwhelmed,” writes Adam Sobanski, director of public works, in report to council.

Town council has now approved a $100,000 fund to help get the process started. 

People who were flooded out in July will be first in line for up to $3,000 to have sump pumps removed from the sanitary sewers and have the backwater valve installed. The report to council says local contractors estimate the work could cost a homeowner anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000.

Sobanski says homes built before Oct. 2018, will be eligible for the program. 

“Staff also recommends the grant program initially be made available only to properties in high risk areas of the municipality that have a history of wastewater back ups.”