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 and maintenance and replacement of existing infrastructure are funded by the Clean Water Utility. Those projects that benefit a specific drainage area are typically funded 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 valued at more than $22 million dollars. The Clean Water Utility does not hold any debt.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING 2017
During 2017, the Clean Water Utility will continue to perform street sweeping, outfall inspections, behind the curb sump drain inspections, and catch basin cleaning. The utility has plans to complete: shoreline protection at Lake Andrea and storm water improvements and stream bank stabilization for Carol Beach Park. More information about the Clean Water Utility, including an informational video, is available by clicking here.