Stormwater Utility

Last updated: Public Relations Specialist | Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Meeting Schedule

The Village Council is expected to further consider the creation of a stormwater utility in late February or early March 2012. Prior to this consideration, the Village Council has requested input from key stakeholders including residents, businesses, churches and not-for-profit agencies.

Meetings to discuss the stormwater utility concepts were held at the Public Works Facility, 5101 Walnut Ave., on the following dates:

Residents: Monday, January 23, 2012--7:00 p.m.
Businesses: Tuesday, January 24, 2012--5:30 p.m.
Non-Profit Organizations and Churches: Wednesday, January 25, 2012--7:00 p.m.

The comments and questions received at these meetings will be incorporated into the final report and recommendations that will be presented to the Village Council.

Supporting Docs

Concept

What is a utility and what are the benefits?
A utility is a way of managing delivery of a service and the assets that are used. In a utility, revenues are generated by charging users of the system a fee and the money generated is used to pay for the cost of owning and operating the system. In a stormwater utility, the service being provided is the collection and delivery of stormwater run-off into the creek system. The assets are the creeks, pipes, ditches and structures that are used to deliver stormwater to the creeks.

Many communities in the United States have opted for a stormwater utility to fund their stormwater programs. Since every property generates run-off and benefits from the infrastructure in place, the utility model represents the most equitable method to collect revenue from those who place a demand on the stormwater management system. Communities in Illinois that have adopted stormwater utilities include Aurora, Highland Park and Rolling Meadows.

The Village of Downers Grove is considering a change in the way we pay for the cost of owning and maintaining the stormwater management system from the current method, which primarily uses property tax revenues. A new approach under consideration would use a monthly stormwater fee based on the property's impact to the stormwater system. Known as a stormwater utility, this is similar to the way other utilities are operated including natural gas and electricity. Shifting to a stormwater utility system is designed to:

Create a system in which properties pay for their portion of the stormwater system's expenses, since all properties benefit from the system.
Increase awareness about the Village's stormwater management system.
Encourage property owners to reduce the amount of stormwater run-off from their property by implementing management measures such as rain barrels and detention basins.
Provide a predictable and sustainable funding source to properly maintain the stormwater system.

The Village has prepared a series of videos to explain the Stormwater Utility concepts and advantages. The videos are narrated by Village Manager Dave Fieldman.

Stormwater Utility Part 1: Introduction
Stormwater Utility Part 2: Stormwater System
Stormwater Utility Part 3: Current Funding
Stormwater Utility Part 4: Utility Approach
Stormwater Utility Part 5: Financial Impacts