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Town of Chapel Hill Storn~water Management - stormwater Utility FAQ Page 2 of 6 <br />.'1, <br />!~~J <br />Urbanization causes significant changes in stormwater runoff characteristics, `"°`~ <br />including increased volume and rate of runoff entering streams and the <br />stormsewer system and reduced amounts of water filtering into the soil. Such <br />changes cause increased erosion and formation of gullies in upland areas, <br />increased sediment deposition in lower areas, degradation of water quality, <br />peak storm flows that are higher and faster, more frequent flooding, and <br />negative effects on stream ecological communities. These impacts on both <br />man-made structures and natural systems require continuous management, <br />maintenance, repair and replacement of the Town's stormwater management <br />system, and careful planning to mitigate existing and future problems. <br />Why do we need a "stormwater utility"? <br />A stormwater utility is a "public enterprise" structure similar to a water or sewer <br />utility. With a utility, the Town could develop a cost effective stormwater <br />management program with a reliable and equitable source of funding that is <br />based on the demand that a given property places on the stormwater <br />management system.. Alternative funding sources, including general revenues <br />and bonds, are based on the tax value of property and, as such, are less <br />reliable and equitable than funding based on utility fees. The Town currently <br />has an ad-hoc stormwater management program that is trying to respond to <br />increasing regulatory requirements and local needs without increased <br />resources. <br />How would this utility benefit taxpayers, homeowners, <br />etc? <br />Depending upon the level and extent of services being funded, a stormwater <br />utility could provide: <br />. drainage and stormsewer maintenance, repair, and improvement <br />. flood damage reduction and prevention <br />• improved water quality in Town streams <br />• watershed and development planning <br />protection of future drinking water sources (i e Jordan Lake) <br />. stream restoration, open space acquisition and other programs. <br />Would the utility be an entity separate from the Town <br />(like OWASA), or a department within the Town, or <br />something else? <br />The stormwater utility would operate within the Town organization as a division <br />of the Engineering Department. It would coordinate stormwater management <br />activities using both Town resources and contract services, Existing Town <br />Departments expected to be most involved include Engineering, Planning, <br />Inspections, Finance, and Public Works, <br />Doesn't the Town already take care of drainage and <br />stormwater problems? <br />The Town does currently provide a variety of stormwater management <br />http://townhall.townofehapelhill.org/stormwater/utility_faq.html 5/24/2004 <br />