Nine Steps Towards Creating a Stormwater Utility or Agency

Across the nation, local government agencies are finding their stormwater systems in disrepair and are fearing that they will soon begin to fail, causing back up problems at homes and businesses.

Managing these stormwater lines and paying for the necessary repairs is a challenge for many agencies that typically do not have a dedicated funding source for stormwater management. 

To offset these challenges, local governments are beginning to form stormwater utilities or agencies that are responsible for enforcing stormwater rate structures and managing stormwater systems. These boards must meet stormwater management requirements mandated by state and federal agencies and provide the stormwater services needed for the municipalities, cities and counties they serve.

These utilities or agencies offer a new solution for local governments who are typically not prepared to address the critical needs of stormwater runoff. Stormwater utilities create a dedicated funding source by generating their revenue through user rates. “Use” of the system is the demand a property places on the stormwater system based n the stormwater runoff from the property. 

Creating a stormwater utility board or agency may be the best approach for many communities; however it requires much collaboration and planning. L.R. Kimball recommends the following steps in creating a stormwater utility or agency:

1. Create an advisory committee
2. Gather information
3. Develop the concept
4. Assess wet weather needs
5. Analyze stormwater funding options and implementation approach
6. Develop billing, collection and enforcement options and procedures
7. Review and assess rate method options
8. Prepare a rate study and cash flow analysis
9. Review stormwater utility implementation steps and schedule

Stormwater can be a valuable resource for communities who apply the latest techniques to manage it.  Working with a consultant made up of professional engineers who understand your challenges and have experience developing stormwater management plans can make this process much easier. 

Comments

[Soledad Feigenbaum]

The development of a storm water committee that specializes in storm water facilities can be highly beneficial in any community. The storm water committee should also address the different problems that often arise during storms and floods. The local government should hire a dedicated group of people who are also knowledgeable in disaster management and coordination.

[Sharon Strock]

It takes good planning for local governments to do their responsibilities effectively. True enough, having a task force to take care of disaster-related matters can help. Although it entails more money and personnel to get the job done, seeing the good results of what you've done for the community will certainly be worth it. That's what public service is simply all about. :)