Determining How Much You Need: Stormwater Program Cost

Determining How Much You Need: Stormwater Program Cost Glenn Barnes UNC Environmental Finance Center 919-962-2789 glennbarnes@sog.unc.edu www.efc.unc.edu www.efc.unc.edu

Session Objectives Discuss the potential costs of operating a local government stormwater program Understand what variables can change anticipated costs Identify the costs of inaction

The Costs of Inaction Excessive stormwater can cause floods and water quality degradation, potentially leading to Damage to public infrastructure and private property Regulatory liability (TMDL, CWA, other laws) Loss of ecosystem services Loss of ecotourism revenues (fishing, &c.) Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Urban Flash floods kill 40 people per year 45% of deaths involve cars 40% of damage occurs outside of regulated floodplain www.efc.unc.edu Source: FEMA / NOAA Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

The other 55% involves sharks Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

The Costs of Inaction Floods cause extensive damage to public infrastructure such as roads and utilities Estimated annual damage is $2 billion annually Additional potential impacts to clean drinking water supplies and fishing Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Two Big Cost Categories for Local Governments The cost of BMPs There is a lot written to help you determine the cost of BMPs just Google it The management cost of operating a stormwater program Much less written on this

BMP Costs: New Development Three basic cost components: Conveyance (pipe, curbs, inlets) Flood control (eg, detention ponds) Water quality measures The bulk of the expenses is for the first two items Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Low Impact Development Image Source: NC State Cooperative Extension

Low Impact Development Most show LID cost-effective in previously undeveloped land Savings in pipes, paving, and stormwater infrastructure Actual BMP will likely cost more (economies of scale) Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

BMP Costs: Redevelopment Redevelopment and ultra-urban conditions drive up all stormwater costs by 5 to 10 X (including LID) Conflicts with utilities Land prices higher Smaller spaces means larger number of small BMPs Forced to work with existing conveyance systems Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Management Costs to Local Governments Administering MS4 stormwater permit Plan review Long-term system maintenance Retrofitting

EPA 1999 Estimates EPA 833-R-99-002, Economic Analysis Of The Final Phase II Storm Water Rule, October 1999

EPA 1999 Estimates EPA 833-R-99-002, Economic Analysis Of The Final Phase II Storm Water Rule, October 1999

The Total Expected Bill Nationwide for Phase II? Now that s an unfunded mandate... EPA 833-R-99-002, Economic Analysis Of The Final Phase II Storm Water Rule, October 1999

Local Costs: MS4 Permit Administration Best current estimates are $7 to $15 per capita per year on average Need to adjust based on your community s unique situation Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

How to Adjust Estimates Factors that impact the estimates Service area

Potential Service Area Source: SESWA 2009 Survey

How to Adjust Estimates Factors that impact the estimates Service area Population served

How to Adjust Estimates Factors that impact the estimates Service area Population served Your local government s prior experience with stormwater management Experience of the local private engineering community with stormwater programs GIS resources available in your local government Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Management Resources http://www.cwp.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=76&itemid=118

Program Spreadsheet Tool

Local Costs: Development Plan Review 2 to 3 plans per day for experienced reviewer (200 to 400 per year) Each construction site inspector can handle 30 to 50 sites 0.25 FTE needed for GIS support and program tracking 0.25 FTE needed for basic program administration Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Impacts on Development Plan Review Is your local community growing? What types of development projects are expected? What types of redevelopment projects? What is your minimum threshold for plan review? Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Local Costs: Long Term Maintenance You will always be responsible for the maintenance of public BMPs You may be responsible for the maintenance of BMPs on private land as well (more on this later on...)

Local Costs: Long Term Maintenance You may not have the responsibility to maintain each and every BMP within your jurisdiction, but you are responsible for the maintenance of the overall system The older the BMP, the more expensive it becomes to maintain

Impacts on Long Term Maintenance Water quality goals Total BMPs Where will they be located? Public vs. private maintenance? Inspection frequency Enforcement mechanisms Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Local Cost: Retrofitting Always more expensive than installing BMPs on undeveloped land Very high Design & Engineering costs (32 to 50 percent) Often smaller projects which are relatively more expensive (think one wetland vs. 30,000 rain barrels) Slide Source: Tom Schueler, Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Cost of Retrofits Per Cubic Foot Pond Retrofits $3 Rain Gardens $4 New Storage Retrofits $5 Larger Bioretention Retrofits $11 Water Quality Swale Retrofit $13 Cisterns $15 French Drain / Dry Well $12 R etrofit Practice Infiltration Retrofits Rain Barrels Structural Sand Filter Impervious Cover Conversion Stormwater Planter Small Bioretention Retrofits $15 $25 $20 $20 $27 $30 Underground Sand Filter $65 Stormwater Tree Pits $70 Permeable Pavers Extensive Green Rooftops Intensive Green Rooftops Median Values $120 $225 $360 $0 $50 $100 $150 $200 $250 $300 $350 $400 $450 $500 Cost per Cubic Foot of Stormwater Treated ($2006)

Paying for the Six Minimum Measures All staffing and effort estimates based on a community of 15,000 Estimates provided by Tom Schueler

Phase II six minimum measures Public Education and Outreach Public Participation/Involvement Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination Construction Site Runoff/Control Post-Construction Runoff Control Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

There is a hidden seventh minimum measure... Application, record keeping and reporting requirements

MM1: Public Education and Outreach Distribute education materials to community Make public aware of stormwater problems When? Big effort in year 2, steady thereafter Direct Costs: Low, free educational materials available Staffing: 0.2 to 0.5 FTE/yr % Effort: 15%

MM2: Public Involvement and Participation Involve regulated community in program development Provide opportunities for public to give input When? Big effort in year 1, very modest thereafter Direct Costs: Low, meeting costs for task force Staffing: 0.1 to 0.2 FTE/yr % Effort: 5%

MM3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Storm sewer map with all outfalls $$$ Define your illicit discharges $$$ Adopt and enforce illicit discharge ordinance Develop and implement IDDE program $$ Public information When? Big push in years 2 and 3, low thereafter Direct Costs: Medium: equipment and hotline Staffing: 0.2 to 0.5 FTE/yr % Effort: 15%

MM4: Construction Site Runoff Control Adopt ordinance Be able to inspect and enforce $$$ ESC site plan review process $$$ Citizen reporting Control wastes generated at sites When? Big push throughout permit cycle Direct Costs: Vehicles and IT equipment Staffing: 0.5 to 1.0 FTE/yr (inspection/plan review) % Effort: 25%

MM5: Post-construction Runoff Management Adopt stormwater ordinance for new and redevelopment Use structural/nonstructural BMPs $$$ Develop maintenance program $$$ When? Big push throughout permit cycle Direct Costs: Vehicles and IT equipment Staffing: 0.5 to 1.0 FTE/yr % Effort: 25%

MM6: Municipal Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Train municipal employees Pollution prevention plans for municipal hotspot operations Review municipal maintenance operations (e.g., street sweeping, catch basin cleanouts) When? Start in year 3 and then steady Direct Costs: Low, use low cost training materials Staffing: 0.2 to 0.4 FTE/yr % Effort: 10%

Program Administration and Reporting Set measurable goals and implementation schedule Conduct evaluation and assessments Maintain records Write annual reports When? Once a year and at end of permit Direct Costs: Some IT and GIS investment Staffing: 0.1 FTE/yr % Effort: 5%

Questions?