Stormwater Utility Case Studies

 

City of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Background

The importance of managing stormwater runoff has long been recognized in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. In 1911, legislation was enacted to create the Mecklenburg County Drainage Commission. For 80 years, storm drainage infrastructure costs were included in the general budget and funded by ad valorem property taxes. Large projects were funded by voter-approved municipal bonds. Emergency repairs to the public drainage system came from the City's or County's general fund.

The stormwater utility was created to develop a comprehensive approach to managing increasing stormwater drainage and water quality problems caused by rapid urban and suburban growth. It provides a dedicated revenue source to address pollution, erosion and flooding caused by stormwater runoff, and establishes a user fee that bills customers based on the runoff they produce. It helps to meet the requirements of NPDES permits.

Laying the Groundwork

A consultant was retained to examine the effectiveness of the City of Charlotte's drainage programs in 1985, beginning a seven-year process of studies, task forces and public meetings that resulted in the creation of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services program.

In the late 1980's, staff and study groups analyzed the need for a local stormwater utility. Early discussions centered on flooding and drainage but later evolved to also include surface water quality. In 1989, elected officials from the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County jointly approved the concept of creating a stormwater utility.

The initiative to establish a stormwater utility gained momentum with two significant policy changes: Federal EPA/NPDES Phase I stormwater regulations that took effect in 1990 and action by the North Carolina Legislature in 1991 giving municipalities the authority to create stormwater utilities funded by user fees. Once the foundation was in place to create a stormwater utility, the focus shifted to fee structure, organizational structure and gaining public support.

Developing an Action Plan

A 1991 telephone survey of Charlotte residents found that 96% said they believed protecting water quality should be a high priority. Nearly 80% agreed that drainage problems result in hazardous driving conditions during heavy rain. Another 18% said they had drainage problems on their own property. Half of those questioned said they would be willing to pay $3.00 per month to address stormwater issues.

 

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