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STORMWATER
How to Fund Stormwater Management Programs
Stormwater Utilities
Stormwater Financing Case Study Report
Many communities across
New England are exploring various stormwater financing options,
including the consideration of stormwater utilities, in order to address
the economic challenges of improving their stormwater management
programs.
In an effort to help
communities develop and implement appropriate mechanisms to fund their stormwater management programs, and to support the statewide assistance
efforts of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, CRWA set
out to evaluate three stormwater financing mechanisms in New England
that have been adopted since 2005.
CRWA investigated the
development and implementation process for stormwater financing
mechanisms in
South Burlington, Vermont,
Reading, Massachusetts, and
Newton,
Massachusetts. These three programs, each with their own
somewhat different structure, scope, and development process, are
important models for other municipalities interested in pursuing the
adoption of a dedicated, fee-for-service mechanism.
This
report summarizes our findings and is
intended to provide guidance and assistance to other communities and
agencies who may wish to expand municipal stormwater financing
opportunities. In addition, the report provides significant detail about
how each of these three communities went about establishing their
utility program, including rate setting, billing, public outreach and
legal issues.
Click here to view the
Case Studies
Report.
Stormwater Utility Information Packet
To raise the awareness
level of dedicated stormwater user fees, to assist municipalities in
determining whether or not a utility is right for their community, and
to guide the development and implementation of utilities, CRWA has
compiled an information guidance packet of existing print materials that
may be useful at public meetings, such as program pamphlets, articles,
guidance documents and other documentation, as well as a list of other
relevant materials. This guidance packet covers information created
since 2001 and is divided into the following sections: 1) public
education resources; 2) resource lists; 3) municipal stormwater funding;
4) stormwater utility development and implementation; 5) stormwater
utility fees and rate structures; 6) GIS and other computer tools to
develop stormwater utilities; and 7) gaining public acceptance of
stormwater utiltiy.
Click here to view the
Stormwater Utility Information Packet.
Municipal Stormwater
Financing Survey
CRWA conducted a
survey of municipalities within the watershed to collect
information about their current stormwater management programs, budgets,
and needs. The goal of the survey was to assess the willingness and
capacities of the Charles River watershed communities to develop a
stable, dedicated funding source for stormwater management and the
survey questions were designed accordingly. The questions were aimed at
gaining an understanding of each municipality’s basic stormwater
management program, and the assets and gaps in their programs.
From the survey, CRWA
found that overall there is both an interest in and a need to develop
stable stormwater funding for the municipalities in the watershed. Most
towns surveyed feel their current stormwater budgets and programs are
not adequate. The results of the survey are summarized in
CRWA Municipal Stormwater Financing Survey Memo.
Click here to read CRWA Municipal Stormwater
Financing Survey Memo.
For more information on stormwater utilities, visit:
Assessment of Stormwater Financing Mechanisms in New England: Final Case
Study Report
Stormwater Utility Information Packet
CRWA Municipal Stormwater Financing Survey Results Memo
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WATERSHED INFO
