Mason’s Stormwater Utility Program

Kathleen Wade-Dorman, P.E. City of Mason

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Mason Background• Located in Southwest Ohio in Warren County• Area Approx. 18.6 Square Miles• 118 Miles of Storm Sewer & over 6,775 Catch Basins,

Manholes & Outfalls• 55 Stream Miles & 10 streams w/ designated

floodplain

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Mason’s Stormwater Utility

• Started evaluation of Stormwater Master Plan - Late 1998 (after a significant flooding event)o To guide City officials and staff in implementing:

• Involve citizen participation• Stormwater improvement project list• Develop stormwater regulations• Address the new NPDES Phase II regulations from EPA• Develop a stormwater facilities maintenance plan• Consider regional detention facilities• Reduce or alleviate future flooding concerns and• Provide solutions to existing flooding problems.

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Mason’s Stormwater Utility

• Appointed SWAC Board Early 1999o Most Important component was establishing the Stormwater

Advisory Committee (SWAC) - ad hoc committee comprised of residents and groups within the City • Entertainment• Elderly• Religious\Chaplin• Engineering Firms• Chamber of Commerce• School Board• Realtor• Developers• Residents• Cincinnati Home Builders Association• Homeowner Association Member• Utilities

Flooding 1997

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Mason’s Stormwater Utility

• Started Stormwater Utility Design & Implementation – Late 2000o Develop a detailed Stormwater Management Program

• Develop a detailed Stormwater Utility Management Program that will, verify impervious area and classify parcels for billing purposes

• Prepare Staff to Implement the EPA NPDES Phase II Regulations

• Prepare billing database management/file maintenance of the stormwater utility

• Prepare public information and public meetings• Complete City Council presentations• Provide staff training and assistance• Prepare and present a final report to City Council and• Implement a Stormwater Utility Program

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Mason’s Stormwater Utility

• Council formed a Stormwater Utility April 23, 2001o Start Billing October 1, 2001o 1ERU = 3,137 square feet (sf)o Rate = $3.00/month/ERUo Residential = 1 ERU/month = $3.00o Commercial = Impervious Area (sf)/ 3,137(sf)

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Goals for Stormwater Utility

• Operate and maintain the city’s existing stormwater facilities

• Plan and construct new stormwater facilities• Repair/reconstruct the city’s aging stormwater

infrastructure located in the older portions of the city• Review and approve stormwater plans• Establish a minimum set of design and construction requirements • Develop a Stormwater Master Plan• Address new Federal Stormwater Regulations

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Any Changes? Yes!• Non Residential Facility Credit Program

o Truly only address addresses Water Quantity

• Rate Study Completed in 2011o Findings: Rate Increases needed from $3.00/ ERU/Month to:

• 7/1/2011 - $3.17• 1/1/2012 - $3.34• 1/1/2013 - $3.52• 1/1/2014 - $3.71• 1/1/2015 - $3.91• 1/1/2016 - $4.13 2017-*Automatically increase annually based

on COLA

• Billing of new Commercial Customerso Process is cumbersome and needs to be updated

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Any Benefits? Yes!• City was able to evaluate problems based on a

watershed approacho Residential Flooding occurred on Davis Run but the most efficient, cost

effect solution resulted in regional detention upstream on the Muddy Creek.

• City was able to start Stream Restoration and get Grant Funding

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Mason Stream Restoration Projects

• Restoration Projects7 Completed

• Working togetherFlood Reduction Projects Sanitary Sewer ProjectsGrant OpportunitiesRoadway Improvements

• Look for Opportunity

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Muddy Creek @ St Susanna’s

Project: 1,400 LF Stream Restored Partners: Church, School, SWCD, OEPA319 Grant Funds: $258,000 (Design & Construction) Project: $430,000Mason: $14,900 Cash & $88,130 In-kind Services (PM, Inspections)

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

St Susanna’sMeeting MS4 minimum control measures: Improving Water Quality• Good Housekeeping• Public Participation & Involvement• Public Education & Outreach

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Marival/ Broadview FarmsProject: 3,200 LF Stream Partners: OEPA, HOA, SWCD319 Grant Funds: $222,000 (Design & Construction) Project: $370,000Mason: $14,000 Cash & $82,160 In-kind Services (PM, Inspections)

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Quinn ParkProject: 1,400 LF Stream Restored Partners: OEPA Funding: CMAQ & Local MatchDesign: ~$45,000 Construction: $206,000

November 5, 2015ASCE - Dayton Section

Questions