Stormwater Utility Case Studies (cont.)

 

Review of Existing Rules and Regulations

The stormwater regulations for the Northern Kentucky area varied between the counties and in some instances even between cities. One goal of the District’s stormwater program was to develop a consistent set of regulations that apply within the three-county region. The District’s efforts were focused on compiling the existing regulations and formimg a small work group whose charge was to provide input to on this issue. The District’s Regional Stormwater Management Program Rules and Regulations were approved by the Board of Directors and was implemented in August 2003.

United States Geological Survey Stream Gauging Stations

The primary focus of U.S. EPA’s Phase II Stormwater Regulations is to improve water quality. The District recognized that in order to evaluate the success of the stormwater program it would be important to generate baseline data on the current condition of local streams. To this end, the District has entered into a cooperative agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to implement a regional stream monitoring network. There are eight stations that provide continuous information on local rainfall, stream flow, and stream conditions including temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen levels.

Tele-Research Poll

During the fall of 1998, the District conducted a telephone survey of Northern Kentuckians in an effort to determine the public’s attitude toward stormwater issues and to gauge the priority placed on resolving stormwater related problems. Results showed that 70% of respondents were willing to pay a service fee to improve stormwater control.

District-wide Complaint survey

In the fall of 1999, the District mailed out 70,000 questionnaires to Northern Kentucky residents to determine the extent and location of stormwater related problems. Of the 14,000 respondents, 29% had experienced flooding in their house or on their property and 28% had witnessed street flooding in the past five years.

Municipal League Work Group Meetings

The storm sewer-related assets are still owned and maintained by the local governments. The District has met with a group of representatives from local municipalities to discuss issues relating to the transfer of stormwater assets from the cities to the Sanitation District.

Stormwater Utility Contact
Mr. Sean J. Blake, Program Manager
Sanitation District No. 1
1045 Eaton Drive
Ft. Wright, KY 41017
859/578-7468
859/578-6897 (fax)
Sblake@sd1.Org
http://www.sd1.org/about/history.asp

 

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