While I don't think we have had flooding like you had recently we have had floods take out basements, mechanicals and homes that didn't have a basement had water 1-2' up. 

That's a 110 gallon trough and an RV water holding tank. 

I have two recently purchased water heaters.

Sometimes I have to override them on choosing a plumber, when its just a handyman job, ie, when the handle set screw comes loose on the shower hot cold water handle, that does not require a plumber, but the PM was all set to send in my plumber, and I told her that a handyman can do that.... of course she agreed, and got me a handy man within 24 hrs.

Kind of like the frog in boiling water.

I am landlord in California.Tenant has not paid water bill for a year.

This will be my first property in this MSA, wanted to test waters before expanding.

The only use would be to cause you water issues and it's unnecessary and the bedroom would be more spacious without it.

You will also likely need street/sidewalk closure permits at different points in the jobUtility Taps- Water, Sprinkler, Sewer, Power, Gas, Cable (this is likely negligible as the cable company should do it for you)Excavation/Foundation- Are there buildings on either side?

The seller has been unusually involved with things even after selling the property to me - they let me know today that there was no hot water and they had to replace the heater, and are charging me ~$700.