City of Newton Stormwater Utility / Use Fee Presented by Maria Rose, Stormwater / Environmental Engineer Public Works Dept. RIDEM & Save the Bay Workshop November 17, 2011
Newton, MA Population: 82,000 Size: 18.1 sq miles 11.5 miles of riverfront High and Medium Density Residential, Commercial & Industrial land uses 20% Open Space
Source: CRWA
Newton s Drainage Infrastructure 12,750 catch basins 320 miles of drainage pipes 7 miles of streams 155 major outfalls / drainage channels Five (5) perennial streams and 17 intermittent streams (most in culverts)
155 OUTFALLS
Historical Perspective Significant development 1950 to 1970 Deferred maintenance NPDES Phase II in March 2003 Pressure from EPA to address water quality issues in Nov. 2004 Increased demand for larger homes and big box retail stores Additional impervious areas compound flooding issues
Drivers Aging infrastructure needs Stream channels and pond maintenance Flooding issues Water quality issues NPDES Permit
How can Newton pay for the mounting needs in stormwater management and water quality improvement? General Fund Assessments Establish a user-fee based Stormwater Utility
Neglected Leg of the Stool Stormwater
Utility Concept Development Technical: develop the rate structure Uniform fee versus Unit-based fee MGL Ch 83 16 Regulatory: ordinance Revenue Allocation Plan Administrative: Implement transparent billing and credit procedures Develop FAQs and Supplemental documents Manage Program
Modest Start - Build Trust First Simplified Rate Structure and Billing Newton s Initial Fee Structure based on bare bones program Residential accounts: 23,762 Commercial, Institutional & Industrial: 848
Stormwater Rate Structure Median Residential Lot Lot Size 10,062 Sq Ft Structures, 1,912, 19% Open Space, 6,943, 69% Driveway, 1,207, 12% Impervious Area = 3,119 SF Based upon a composite analysis of various sized residential lots from the 14 villages in Newton.
Current Stormwater Rate Structure Median Commercial Lot Lot Size 19,565 Sq Ft Open Space 5% Structures 36% Pavement 59% Impervious Area = 18,600 SF For commercial properties analyzed: there was on average 6 times more impervious surfaces than residential. $700,000 =23,762(x) + 848(6x) X or the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) = $25 per yr
Resource Plan Stormwater Program Manager Dedicated DPW staff for maintenance, special projects and IDDE component of NPDES Cross-utilization of Public Works resources Generate revenue for capital improvements and infrastructure maintenance
Public Approval Process Presented concept to our Sewer / Stormwater Task Force Obtained letters of support Presentation to the Public Facilities Com. Action Alert Presentations made to the full Board of Alderman BOA approve ordinance on May 24, 2006
User Fee Implementation Drain fee included in Water / Sewer bills Revenue dedicated for stormwater management Elderly Discount Applies Credits given for owner maintained stormwater management / recharge systems
Public Education/ Program Roll-out News story on local cable TV Utility Bill Insert Newspaper Articles Stormwater Program FAQs Web site http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/stormwater/
Bioretention Areas Filters Stormwater before entering Hammond Pond
Pollutant Removal Efficiencies: TSS (80-90%), Phosphorus (10-90%), Nitrogen (30-50%) Metals: Copper, Lead, Zinc (40 to 90%) Petroleum Hydrocarbons (40-60%) Bacteria / Pathogens insufficient data
Sand Filters Pollutant Removal Efficiencies: TSS (80%), Phosphorus (10-50%), Nitrogen (20-40%) Metals: Copper, Lead, Zinc (50 to 90%) Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Sand Filters in Use
Replace Drain Pipes & Increase Flood Capacity Ashmont Ave Drainage Project, 2009
Water quality sampling
Sediment Sampling Preparations for Pond Dredging Project
Cheesecake Brook
Public Education and Involvement
Where do we stand now? Revenue generated is inadequate for our SWM needs. March 2010 floods strained all available resources and staff. Next generation of the NPDES MS4 Permit indicates additional revenue must be allocated for compliance. Need to correct inequities in fee structure. Consultant retained for rate study analysis and budget planning
Current System 15% Impervious Area 26% Revenues 20% 65% 74% Res Commercial Tax Exempt Res Comm, Inst., Industry
Fee Calculation Mean Residential Impervious Area is 2300 sq ft. Equals 1.0 ERU
Fee Calculation Commercial Property = 1 ERU = 20 ERUs less credit 1.1 ac Lot with 46,000 sq ft impervious
Distribution Under Revised Rate Structure 15% Impervious Area 15% Revenues 18% 20% 65% 67% Res Commercial Tax Exempt Res Commercial Tax Exempt
Preliminary Proposed Rate Structure The average impervious area per unit redefined at 2,300 SF, this becomes the base unit. Single-family: 1 ERU = $25.00 2-Family: 1.5 ERU = $37.50 3-Family and 4 or more unit apartments and condominiums: fee derived from impervious area Commercial and Tax-Exempt Properties: fee derived from impervious area
New Rate Structure Increases our Stormwater Management revenues to 1.1 Million annually Eliminates a loop-hole and corrects minor issues in current rate structure Reinforces our SW Utility to be: Stable Adequate Flexible Equitable We have a planning level budget through 2017 that correlates to modest rate increases.
Lessons Learned Simplified initial approach worked for Newton; however, there have been some challenges Have at least one showcase project Document gains made with the fund Be responsive to every billing inquiry, maintenance requests and flooding issues Build relationships with community & watershed groups Be consistent with credits given for stormwater recharge systems