Detroit sewer repairs: How to apply for help fixing your sewer line

Detroit residents living in certain areas of the city who were impacted by flooding in June 2021 can fill out a pre-screening application for help repairing or maintaining their sewer line.

Residents who live in single family homes in 22 selected neighborhoods and show how their homes were impacted by June 25-26, 2021 flooding are eligible to seek help.

The backstory:

Heavy rain in the summer of 2021 led to extensive flooding in Detroit.

According to the Great Lakes Water Authority, six inches of water fell over 12 hours, more than double what the agency's system is capable of handling. The regional water network is designed to handle 1.7 inches of rain in one hour, or 3.31 inches of rain over 24 hours. 

The floodwaters forced numerous freeways to close, while residents dealt with water backing up into their basements from the sewer.

Private Sewer Repair program

What's Included:

Eligible homeowners and landlords may be able to receive these services through the program:

  • A cleaning and inspection of their private lateral sewer line
  • Repair or replacement of their sewer line
  • Cleanout installation
  • Installation of backflow water valve
  • Installation of backflow valve with sump pump overflow
  • Installation of downspout extensions.

Eligible Neighborhoods:

District 4 

  • Cornerstone Village
  • Morningside
  • Chandler Park
  • Fox Creek
  • Riverbend
  • West End

District 6 

  • Midwest
  • Chadsey‐Condon
  • Claytown
  • North Corktown
  • Michigan‐Martin

District 7 

  • Aviation Sub
  • Garden View
  • Plymouth‐I96
  • Plymouth‐Hubell
  • Paveway
  • We Care Community
  • Fiskhorn
  • Joy‐Schaefer
  • Warrendale
  • Warren Ave Community
  • Barton‐McFarland

Income Caps:

To be eligible, your household must be at or below 80% of the Housing and Urban Development's area median income.

Here are the income limits based on household size:

1 Person    $53,700

2 People    $61,400

3 People    $69,050

4 People    $76,700

5 People    $82,850

6 People    $89,000

7 People    $95,150

8 People    $101,250

What you can do:

If you believe you may be eligible for sewer line assistance, first review all the requirements and FAQs here. 

Then, fill out this pre-screening.

What's next:

Have questions? Three informational sessions are coming up.

District 4

Jan. 24 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Community Center at A.B. Ford

District 7

Jan. 31 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Adams Butzel Complex gym

District 6 

Feb. 1 from 5:30-6 p.m. at Hope of Detroit Academy 

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