§ 24-532 Backwater valves.
AC § 24-532
a. Backwater valve study and report. Not later than December 1, 2024, the department, or an agency or office headed by a mayoral appointee, as designated by the mayor, shall complete a study evaluating the benefits of installing backwater valves, as defined in section 202 of the New York city plumbing code, for the purpose of mitigating damage caused by backflow, as defined in section 202 of the New York city plumbing code, during severe weather events. Upon the completion of the study, a report summarizing the results of the study shall be submitted to the mayor and the speaker of the council and posted on the department's website. b. Backwater valve program. Subject to appropriation, not later than April 1, 2025, the department, or another agency or office headed by a mayoral appointee, as designated by the mayor, shall establish a program to provide financial assistance to owners of certain real property that would reduce the cost of purchasing and installing a backwater valve. Such program shall be based on the results of the study described in subdivision a of this section, provided that: (i) a program to reimburse, or provide a discount to, owners of real property for the installation of backwater valves, has not been established by the New York city water board, as described by section 1045-f of the public authorities law; and (ii) a program to provide financial assistance to owners of such real property for the installation of backwater valves, has not been established by any public entity, or any entity acting on behalf of such public entity. Such program shall, at a minimum: 1. Prioritize neighborhoods, locations, or types of real property that regularly suffer damage caused by backflow during severe weather events and for which the installation of a backwater valve would serve the greatest public purpose, as determined by the department, agency or office, as designated by the mayor; and 2. Conduct outreach and education to owners of such real property to inform such owners about the benefits of backwater valves and the responsibilities related to maintaining such valves. Such outreach and education shall be in the designated citywide languages, as defined in section 23-1101. (L.L. 2023/001, 1/7/2023, eff. 1/7/2023)
