Floodwater Management Grant Program

These grants are for San Francisco property owners who experience flooding from the sewer system or adjacent public right-of-way caused by heavy rains. Learn how you can floodproof your home with support from the Floodwater Management Grant! The SFPUC Floodwater Management Grant Program was launched in 2013 to help property owners in San Francisco minimize the risk of flooding on their properties due to heavy rainstorms that result in flooding from the adjacent City right-of-way or sewer backflow events. 

The program was recently enhanced to include:

• Improved funding and financing, including 100% reimbursement of eligible costs on approved projects under contract at time of construction, up to $100K.
• Increased technical assistance, including a required initial site visit with engineers to determine eligibility and provide site opportunity assessment.
• Streamlined application process with more staff to assist applicants throughout the grant process.
• More resources for applicants, including a list of engineers and contractors, and site opportunity assessments developed by our technical team to inform the project.  
• Hardship financing providing upfront payment for qualified applicants.
• Grant reimbursements available through multiple installments.

How to Get Started

If you experience flooding entering your property through plumbing fixtures or the public right-of-way caused by rain events and wish to apply for a Floodwater Grant to install flood protection modifications to your property, follow the steps below:

1. Submit a Detailed Grant Interest Form
   Start by filling out this one-page grant interest form with details of the flooding event that occurred, including dates, where water came from, and how much flooding occurred. Submit this form and photos of the flooding to floodwatergrants@sfwater.org, and a staff person will contact you to set up a site visit at your property.


2. Site Visit Process
   During the site visit, 1-2 engineers from the technical team will visit the property to discuss the flooding event(s) that took place and gather detailed information about the site. Following the site visit, the technical team will develop a Site Opportunities Assessment and send this to you via email. This will include grant eligibility determination, potential floodproofing measures that can be funded through the grant, and details on how to apply.
    
3. Contact Department of Building Inspection for Your Project (If Required)
   For projects that involve plumbing modifications, you will need to work with the Department of Building and Inspection (DBI). Grant applicants making plumbing modifications should contact DBI’s Chief Plumbing Inspector Steve Panelli directly at (628) 652-3630 or Steven.panelli@sfgov.org to request a plumbing survey and variance, if required. Do not request the survey over the counter or through the general phone line, as this may cause delays.
    
4. Submit an Application 
   If determined eligible, the property owner can access the Grant Program Requirements & Terms for detailed information, instructions, and application forms. Applications should be submitted via email to floodwatergrants@sfwater.org or by mail to:
   525 Golden Gate Ave, 11th Floor
   San Francisco CA 94102 
   Attn: Floodwater Grants Team
    
5. Sign Grant Contract 
   Once the application is submitted, the grant team will review the application and work with the property owner on any changes needed. Once the application is approved, the grant agreement will be drafted and sent to the property owner for review and signing before sending back to SFPUC for agency signatures. All signings will happen electronically via DocuSign (the contracting process can take up to 1 month). Please note that any construction done prior to grant contract start date will not be eligible for reimbursement. 
    
6. Build Project 
   Once under contract, the grantee can move forward with building the approved scope of work with the approved contractor. During construction, the grantee can submit for the first reimbursement under the grant while providing required documentation outlined in contract. If any changes are needed to the scope of work, the grantee must obtain technical review and written approval from the grant team.
    
7. Final Site Visit and Reimbursements 
   Once the project is complete, the grantee will reach out to the grant team to schedule a final site visit of the built project and submit the final reimbursement request. The final reimbursement will not be made until the final site visit has taken place showing the project was built in accordance with the approved scope of work. 

Are you a renter in SF?
As a renter, we encourage you to work with your landlord to take advantage of the grant to help minimize floodwater risk where you live/work. Renters can submit an interest form and represent at the site visit. The grant application and contract will need to be signed by the property owner.

Unsure what contractors to work with?
Check out the resource list of contractors and engineers with relevant experience. If you are a contractor and would like to be added to this list, please email your information to floodwatergrants@sfwater.org and we will add you.

Looking for more detailed information?
See our Grant Program Requirements & Terms for all program information and grant applications both for plumbing and non-plumbing projects. Please be sure to read the Requirements and Terms prior to filling out an application to ensure you have done all the necessary preparation. The application includes steps and a checklist of all required documentation to include. Please also refer to the supplemental information and example concepts.

Have questions?
Please contact our grant team at: floodwatergrants@sfwater.org or leave a voicemail at (415) 695-7326 and we will return your call at our earliest availability.

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