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The Stormwater Division is responsible for maintaining 75 miles of storm pipes, catch basins, city-owned ditch lines and creeks throughout the City. Stormwater is water from rain, snow, sleet, hail, that flows across the ground and pavement or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into what we call the storm drain system. These are the drains you see at street corners or the low points on the sides of streets managing stormwater - both drainage and pollution - and they are an integral component of a comprehensive public works package. Inadequate stormwater management can result in flooding, infrastructure and property damage, excessive soil erosion, degraded open space, and polluted water quality leading to problems in the public water supply and other water bodies.

The primary function of storm water drainage systems, including natural channels, is the collection, conveyance and storage of stormwater runoff. In a watershed-based approach to urban stormwater management, the municipal separate storm sewer system, or MS4, including both structural (e.g., pipes, inlets, and outlets) and natural drainage ways, is a critical structural component. Illicit Discharge (i.e., any discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater) Control is a major component of a stormwater system. Click here to learn more about MS4.

Stormwater Utility User Fees

Like the City's water and sanitary sewer utilities, the Stormwater Utility is self-supporting. Revenue collected from Stormwater Utility user fees goes towards stormwater management, which includes fees to cover the expenses to meet obligations under the NPDES Stormwater Regulations and to pay for the operation, maintenance, and capital improvements of the City's stormwater infrastructure. The Stormwater Utility also works to solve and prevent drainage problem, and repair, maintain, and enhance drainage facilities. Ideally, residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental customers should pay for their water and wastewater service based on their relative system use. The most equitable method to pay for stormwater service is to look at each property's relative use by analyzing the impervious and pervious areas of each. This way, contributors to the stormwater runoff pay their fair share.

For billing efficiency, residential properties are billed a flat monthly rate based on pervious and impervious measurements from an average residential property. Under the City's Stormwater Utility rate structure, residential properties will be billed $5.75 per Month, based on 2,611 Sq. Ft. or 1 ERU (Equivalent Residence Units). All non-residential properties are billed monthly, based on a stormwater user fee calculated specifically, based on the impervious measurements of their property divided by 2,611 which equals ERU’S times $2.50.

 

For questions or concerns please call Steve Inman, the Sewer Superintendent, at (937) 746-5001, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or e-mail him at sinman@franklinohio.org.

STORMWATER ARTICLES
Stormwater January 2024
Stormwater October 2023
Stormwater May Article 2022
November MS4 Article - Illicit Discharge
October MS4 Article - Fall Leaf Clean-Up Tips
July MS4 Article - Plastics a Plenty
ThePathwayofStormwater
May MS4 Article - Illict Discharge
June MS4 Article - Composting for Soil Health