Here's an offer that's hard to refuse: Des Moines is offering up to $1000.00 to people who have a licensed plumber install a sewer backwater valve (AKA "check valve") using a city permit to prevent the sewer from backing up into your basement during heavy rains and/or snow melt-off. The details are at the PublicWorks web site. Sump pumps that discharge to the ground or storm (not sanitary) sewer also qualify as does disconnecting gutter downspouts from the sanitary sewer--as long as the work is done by a licensed plumber with a city permit. The $1,000.00 is the maximum total reimbursement for all qualifying work.
