Beatrice residents could end up paying more out-of-pocket if a backed up sewer line causes damage to their property, following a policy change from the Board of Public Works on Wednesday.
In the past, residents who had had sewer backup problems were eligible to receive up to $250 from the city regardless of whether the backup was the city's fault. With the change in policy approved by the board on Wednesday, the city will not pay for damages in cases in which it is not responsible for the blockage, which is usually caused when materials such as paper towels are flushed down the toilet and get stuck in the sewer pipes.
The board voted 4-0 to discontinue the policy, with board member Linda Clabaugh absent.
City Administrator Jim Bauer said the city adopted the policy in 1991. However, board members agreed that paying for damages it was not liable for opened the city up to additional liability. City Attorney Rob Schafer and Bob O'Neill, a representative from the city's insurance company, were present for the discussion.
Bauer said a sewage backup was one of the most unpleasant problems a homeowner can face. There have been several claims for damage from blockages in the last few months.
“It seems like all of a sudden in a short period of time we've had quite a few of these things,” Bauer said. “Some of them were extensive and some of them were not extensive.”
O'Neill said most companies that offer homeowner's insurance now offer some kind of coverage for sewer backups, though it is often a rider on top of the basic insurance package.
Board member Don Vetrovsky said residents need to be aware of what their policy does and does not cover.
“I think one of the key things we need to emphasize is that this insurance is not standard insurance. One must apply for it. There are homeowners out there thinking they've got it, and they better check.”
In other business:
Wellhead protection grant: Recommended approval of plan to pursue grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to build security fences around the city's wellheads northeast of town.
Woodland Avenue: Received bid for Woodland Avenue paving project from Robert L. Tiemann Construction of Beatrice in the amount of $46,658. Also received bids for Woodland Avenue earthwork project from Carstens Construction of Pickrell in the amount of $17,756.06 and from Lottman Carpenter Construction of Diller in the amount of $37,950.
Thorneridge sanitary sewer project: Recommended approval of plans, specifications and advertisement of bids for the project.
Salt shed: Recommended approval of pay request for shed in the amount of $94,823.05 to Building Tech Inc. of Beatrice.
Miscellaneous curb and gutter project: Recommended approval of pay request in the amount of $30,000 to Trauernicht Construction of Filley.
Valley gutter project: Recommended approval of change order of $225.85 and final payment of $20,246.35 to Trauernicht Construction of Filley.
Nitrate/pumping monthly report: Report from Water Superintendent Steve Kelley showed the city pumped 121,937,000 gallons of water in April, peaking on April 13 with 4,788,540 gallons. Nitrate levels on water pumped from the city's two reservoirs were 4.7 parts per million.