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​​Backflow Prevention Assembly and Oil and Grease Interceptor Grant Reimbursement Program
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Palm Beach County Water Utility Department Backflow Prevention Assembly and Oil and Grease Interceptor Grant Reimbursement is a program designed to financially assist eligible Belle Glade, Pahokee, Canal Point, and South Bay property owners to install mandated water quality safeguards.

These devices are required to comply with Federal and State regulations and statutes. These regulations protect human health and safety by prohibiting hazardous discharges into the drinking water distribution and wastewater collection system.

The program has been made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocated by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners. It will be available through December 31​, 2024, or until all allocated funds are expended.​

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What is a Backflow Prevention Assembly and Oil and Grease Interceptor?​

Backflow Prevention Assembly (BFP)

A backflow prevention assembly is a mechanical valve arrangement designed to prevent the reverse flow of water once it has passed through the valve. The BFP aims to eliminate the potential of contaminated water entering the distribution system. This is a requirement of the US EPA.

Oil and Grease Interceptor (OGI)

Large amounts of oil and grease can clog pipes and pumps, resulting in expensive repairs. Oil and grease interceptors, a/k/a grease traps or oil/water separators (OGI) are the most common devices to protect the wastewater system. OGIs are used at facilities that have the potential to discharge machine oils into the sewer system. This is a requirement of the US EPA.

PBCWUD Pretreatment Program requires all restaurants, food service and auto repair facilities install and maintain an OGI.​​​​​

HOW THE GRANT PROGRAM WORKS:

Eligible property owners can apply to receive full or partial reimbursement for installing a Backflow Prevention Assembly (BFP) or Oil and Grease Interceptor (OGI) by a licensed plumber or contractor. This grant applies to all devices installed after March 3, 2021.

Before applying for reimbursement, the property owner must hire a licensed plumber/contractor to perform the work and obtain a plumbing permit from their local Building Department. Once the installation is complete, a final device inspection is required before submitting the reimbursement program application.

Upon receipt, review, and approval of the program​ application, Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department will reimburse the property owner up to 30% of the actual cost or up to $2,000, whichever is less. 

ELIGIBILITY FOR REIMBURSEMENT

To be eligible for this program, individuals must:

  1. Have an account with Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department within our Western Service Area (Belle Glade, Pahokee, Canal Point, or South Bay) in good standing with active service.
  2. Obtain a BFP Assembly and OGI installation permit from the appropriate municipality.
  3. Completed installation of BFP Assembly or OGI by a licensed plumber after March 3, 2021.
  4. Received an approved final inspection by the City/ County Building Official or their designee.​
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HOW TO APPLY:​

The Backflow Prevention Assembly must be installed by a State or County-licensed plumbing contractor who is a Certified Backflow Prevention Technician (CBPT) for the installation and certification of the BFP Assembly.​​​

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​Municipality​
 Contact Person​
 Phone​ Ext.​ Email​​
​Belle Glade
 Permitting Tech
 ​(561) 996-0100
 2111 / 2178
 ​Call or In-Person
​​Canal Point
 Palm Beach County Building Division -
Commercial Permit Tech​​
 (561) 233-5171​​ ​ ​​Call or In-Person​
​Pahokee
 ​Nahemi Polanco
 (561) 924-5534
 ​​2003
 npolanco@cityofpahokee.com
​South Bay
 Olivia Mejia
 (561) 996-6751
 ​​117
 mejiao@SouthBaycity.com
​South Bay
 Claudia Cano
 (561) 996-6751 110
 canoc@SouthBaycity.com​
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NOTE: A copy of the final permit must be attached to the application.​​

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​For Backflow Prevention Assembly:
A copy of the "passing" final plumbing inspection documentation from the appropriate municipality plumbing inspector and the Initial Test Report for the installed backflow assembly must be attached to your application.

For oil and grease interceptors:
A copy of the final inspection report must be attached to your application.

NOTE: All required supporting documents must be submitted along with the application. These essential documents are necessary for the application to be considered.​
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In order to receive funds from this grant, you must be r​egistered with Palm Beach County as vendor. The registration process requires a IRS W-9 form and the commodity code of 95020. ​

To help you through the process, we have created a​ user guide to assist with registration.

​​Upon final approval of the application for reimbursement as meeting all program standards, a check shall be made payable to the owner/applicant for the verified (reimbursable) amount and mailed to the owner/applicant's property address of record.​​

If you need additional support, our team will be hosting two events at your local library to help with the entire registration process. Our experts will be available to answer any questions and guide you every step of the way. Space is limited, register today.​

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Once your device has been installed by a licensed professional who holds the permit and final inspection, you are ready to begin the application process. ​A completed application with all necessary supporting documentation must be submitted with your application to be considered.

Please use this fillable form to reimburse your Backflow Pre​vention Assembly (BFP). 

Please use this fillable form to reimburse your Oil and Grease Interceptor (OGI). 

An applicant may apply for reimbursement for both BFP and OGI grants.

Upon receipt of the completed application with all required supporting documentation, the application is reviewed for compliance with the program standards.​To submit your application, send all documentation to Program Administrator at backflow​​@pbcwater​.com.​​

TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND LIMITATIONS

  • PBCWUD offers grant reimbursement only to those customers meeting the eligibility criteria who have submitted an application and have been approved for reimbursement.
  • The Grant Reimbursement Program is subject to limited available funding.
  • PBCWUD staff shall verify the installation of the BFP and/or OGI device and documentation.
  • All standard customer responsibilities for maintaining the pretreatment and cross-connection control devices remain in effect.
  • An applicant may apply for reimbursement for both BFP and OGI devices. 


QUESTIONS

Applicants with questions about the grant program are encouraged to call or email the PBCWUD Program Administrator, at ​Backflow@pbcwater.com or 561-493-6166.

​For questions related to permits/inspections, please get in touch with the Building Division for your area: ​​​​​​​

​Municipali​ty​
 Contact Person​
 Phone​ Ext.​ Email​​
​Belle Glade
 Permitting Tech
 ​(561) 996-0100
 2111 / 2178
 ​Call or In-Person
​​Canal Point
 Palm Beach County Building Division -
Commercial Permit Tech​​
 (561) 233-5171​​ ​ ​​Call or In-Person​
​Pahokee
 ​Nahemi Polanco
 (561) 924-5534
 ​​2003
 npolanco@cityofpahokee.com
​South Bay
 Olivia Mejia
 (561) 996-6751
 ​​117
 mejiao@SouthBaycity.com
​South Bay
 Claudia Cano
 (561) 996-6751 110
 canoc@SouthBaycity.com​
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