TIFFIN, Ohio — Tiffin property owners could soon be eligible for up to $2,000 from the city to help install devices designed to keep sewage from backing up into homes and businesses.
City Council on Tuesday gave first reading to Ordinance 2026-61, introduced by Councilmember Aaron Jones, which would expand Tiffin’s existing clean-water-removal grant program to help property owners pay for backflow-prevention devices.
The proposal follows recent rainfall events that city officials said have led to reports of sewer backups affecting several residential and commercial properties.
Under the proposed program, the city would reimburse property owners for 50% of the cost of installing a backflow valve, including labor, up to a maximum city contribution of $2,000.
The assistance would be funded through sewer utility revenue, according to a Finance Committee report presented to council Tuesday.
The program is not yet available. Ordinance 2026-61 received only its first reading Tuesday and was not put to a final vote.
The proposal grew out of a recent City Council Finance Committee discussion over how the city could provide more immediate help to property owners while Tiffin continues work on its larger sewer system.
“Recent rainfall events have led to reports of sewer backups affecting several residential and commercial properties,” Councilmember Kevin Roessner said while reading the committee report. “As the city works to implement its long-term control plan, an interim cost-sharing initiative is being evaluated to provide immediate mitigation.”
Backflow-prevention devices are installed in sewer lines to help stop wastewater from reversing direction when a sewer becomes overloaded. Under normal conditions, wastewater can flow from a building toward the municipal sewer. When flow begins moving in the opposite direction, the valve closes to help keep sewage from entering the property.
Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance describes backwater valves as one way property owners can reduce the risk of sewage entering buildings during sewer backups, while noting that the devices require inspection and maintenance and do not eliminate every possible source of flooding.
Expansion of an existing Tiffin grant program
Tiffin already operates a grant program aimed at keeping rainwater and other clean water out of the sanitary sewer system.
The city’s Engineering Department says the existing program provides reimbursement for removing downspout and sump-pump connections from sanitary and combined sewers.
Those connections can add large quantities of rainwater to the sanitary sewer system during storms, increasing the volume of water that has to move through the system.
The existing program was revised under Ordinance 23-39 in 2023. The new proposal would amend that ordinance to add assistance for backflow-prevention devices rather than creating an entirely separate program.
Law Director Zachary Fowler told council that much of the existing ordinance would remain intact, with the portions dealing with backflow prevention representing the primary changes.
Tiffin has also previously warned residents that individual property owners are responsible for their sewer laterals — the pipes carrying wastewater from homes or businesses to the city’s sewer main — and that heavy rain can worsen existing sewer problems.
“Sewer backups, whether from issues on a private lateral or the public sewer main, are messy, inconvenient, and oftentimes costly,” the city said in a public notice on sewer maintenance.
Part of a much larger sewer problem
The proposed grants come as Tiffin continues a years-long effort to overhaul portions of its sewer system under an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency-mandated Long Term Control Plan.
The city says the plan is intended to reduce combined sewer overflow events and eliminate future bypass events at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Major sewer construction associated with that plan is already underway, including an interceptor upgrade project that is expected to continue for several years.
The proposed backflow assistance would not replace those larger infrastructure projects. Instead, officials described it as an interim measure that could help individual property owners reduce their exposure to backups while the broader work continues.
Because the measure received only its first reading Tuesday, property owners should not assume that reimbursement is currently available or that work performed before the ordinance takes effect would qualify.
Additional details about eligibility, applications and implementation are expected as the legislation moves through City Council.
In other council action
City Council also voted 7-0 Tuesday to establish the All Patriots Memorial Commission, a new city commission created through Ordinance 2026-53.
Council unanimously approved legislation allowing the city administrator to issue a request for proposals for development of approximately 0.8 acres of city-owned land adjacent to City Lot 6. Members also unanimously approved new provisions governing the acquisition and execution of sanitary and stormwater easements, which city officials said are intended to make it easier to complete and maintain sewer infrastructure projects.
Council also approved a budget amendment that includes a newly awarded $73,964 H2Ohio Chloride Reduction Grant for the Street Department and $20,000 for health, life, dental and vision insurance for two Parks and Recreation employees hired in 2026. An additional $20 was appropriated to the Police Department from a Seneca County Clerk of Courts witness-fee reimbursement.
TIFFIN, Ohio — Tiffin property owners could soon be eligible for up to $2,000 from the city to help install devices designed to keep sewage from backing up into homes and businesses. City Council on Tuesday gave first reading to Ordinance 2026 61, introduced by Councilmember Aaron Jones, which would expand Tiffin's existing clean water removal grant program to help property owners pay for backflow prevention devices. The proposal follows recent rainfall events that city officials said have led to reports of sewer backups affecting several residential and commercial properties. Under the proposed program, the city would reimburse property owners for 50% of the cost of installing a backflow valve, including labor, up to a maximum city contribution of $2,000. The assistance would be funded through sewer utility revenue, according to a Finance Committee report presented to council Tuesday. The program is not yet available. Ordinance 2026 61 received only its first reading Tuesday and was not put to a final vote. The proposal grew out of a recent City Council Finance Committee discussion over how the city could provide more immediate help to property owners while Tiffin continues work on its larger sewer system. "Recent rainfall events have led to reports of sewer backups affecting several residential and commercial properties," Councilmember Kevin Roessner said while reading the committee report. "As the city works to implement its long term control plan, an interim cost sharing initiative is being evaluated to provide immediate mitigation." Backflow prevention devices are installed in sewer lines to help stop wastewater from reversing direction when a sewer becomes overloaded. Under normal conditions, wastewater can flow from a building toward the municipal sewer. When flow begins moving in the opposite direction, the valve closes to help keep sewage from entering the property. Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance describes backwater valves as one way property owners can reduce the risk of sewage entering buildings during sewer backups, while noting that the devices require inspection and maintenance and do not eliminate every possible source of flooding. Expansion of an existing Tiffin grant program Tiffin already operates a grant program aimed at keeping rainwater and other clean water out of the sanitary sewer system. The city's Engineering Department says the existing program provides reimbursement for removing downspout and sump pump connections from sanitary and combined sewers. Those connections can add large quantities of rainwater to the sanitary sewer system during storms, increasing the volume of water that has to move through the system. The existing program was revised under Ordinance 23 39 in 2023. The new proposal would amend that ordinance to add assistance for backflow prevention devices rather than creating an entirely separate program. Law Director Zachary Fowler told council that much of the existing ordinance would remain intact, with the portions dealing with backflow prevention representing the primary changes. Tiffin has also previously warned residents that individual property owners are responsible for their sewer laterals — the pipes carrying wastewater from homes or businesses to the city's sewer main — and that heavy rain can worsen existing sewer problems. "Sewer backups, whether from issues on a private lateral or the public sewer main, are messy, inconvenient, and oftentimes costly," the city said in a public notice on sewer maintenance. Part of a much larger sewer problem The proposed grants come as Tiffin continues a years long effort to overhaul portions of its sewer system under an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency mandated Long Term Control Plan. The city says the plan is intended to reduce combined sewer overflow events and eliminate future bypass events at the city's wastewater treatment plant. Major sewer construction associated with that plan is already underway, including an interceptor upgrade project that is expected to continue for several years. The proposed backflow assistance would not replace those larger infrastructure projects. Instead, officials described it as an interim measure that could help individual property owners reduce their exposure to backups while the broader work continues. Because the measure received only its first reading Tuesday, property owners should not assume that reimbursement is currently available or that work performed before the ordinance takes effect would qualify. Additional details about eligibility, applications and implementation are expected as the legislation moves through City Council. In other council action City Council also voted 7 0 Tuesday to establish the All Patriots Memorial Commission, a new city commission created through Ordinance 2026 53. Council unanimously approved legislation allowing the city administrator to issue a request for proposals for development of approximately 0.8 acres of city owned land adjacent to City Lot 6. Members also unanimously approved new provisions governing the acquisition and execution of sanitary and stormwater easements, which city officials said are intended to make it easier to complete and maintain sewer infrastructure projects. Council also approved a budget amendment that includes a newly awarded $73,964 H2Ohio Chloride Reduction Grant for the Street Department and $20,000 for health, life, dental and vision insurance for two Parks and Recreation employees hired in 2026. An additional $20 was appropriated to the Police Department from a Seneca County Clerk of Courts witness fee reimbursement.
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