CLEAN WATER UTILITY BUDGET APPROVED IN DECEMBER WITH SMALL FEE INCREASE FOR 2016
WHAT IS THE CLEAN WATER UTILITY
The Clean Water Utility was created in 2006 in response to Federal mandates requiring municipalities to improve storm water quality. The rules were put in place to protect our country's lakes, streams, rivers and groundwater from contaminated storm water runoff. Storm water is rain or melting snow. As it flows across the landscape, it collects contaminants from properties and transports them through the storm sewer and into our natural water resources.
Clean Water Utility projects that benefit the Village as a whole are funded by the Clean Water Utility. Those projects that benefit a specific drainage area are typically funded in part by the Clean Water Utility and in part by special assessment to the affected property owners. The Village collects a storm water fee from property owners based upon how a property generates storm water runoff (calculated based on the types of surfaces on and the size of a property). All properties contribute to storm water runoff to varying degrees based upon their soil type and surface and how the property is being used.
The funds collected by the utility are used to pay for: maintenance of Village-owned storm water infrastructure (like storm sewer); repair and cleaning of catch basins; and preserving natural drainage systems like streams and vegetative buffers. The utility is also building a fund to pay for the future replacement of existing infrastructure/assets. Infrastructure maintained by the Clean Water Utility is currently valued at $22 million dollars. The Clean Water Utility does not hold any debt.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING 2016
During 2016, the Clean Water Utility will continue to perform street sweeping, outfall inspections, behind the curb sump drain inspections, and catch basin cleaning. The utility also has plans to complete: design work for the reconstruction of drainage pipes and swales in the Chateau Eau Plaines subdivision (with construction in 2017); shoreline protection at Lake Andrea; and storm water improvements in Carol Beach Unit W.
During 2016, the storm water fee will increase by $ 0.25 per ERU (Equivalent Runoff Unit - calculated based on property size and land surface). The utility will eliminate a $0.25 base fee from the bill and incorporate it into the cost per ERU at $0.08. The result will increase the fee per ERU from $4.00 to $4.33 while eliminating the separate $0.25 line item. More information about the Clean Water Utility, including an informational video, is available by clicking here.