Indiana
Indiana
City of Peru
Indiana
Indiana
What is a stormwater mandate?
Due to an unfunded Federal mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the City of Peru has been forced to develop a plan to properly dispose of storm water within the corporate boundaries of the City of Peru. Failure to meet all requirements by the November 1, 2004, completion date could result in fines to the City of $25,000 per day.
A Storm Water Management Board was formed and tasked with researching the mandate and developing a plan to meet all requirements. Bonar and Associates, a professional engineering firm that has assisted many other Indiana communities with storm water plan development, has been retained as a consultant and advisor.
After considerable study, the Storm Water Management Board has ascertained that the most practical method of accomplishing this task is to form a new Storm Water Utility. To perform the duties required by the EPA mandate, this Utility will require a yearly budget of approximately $350,000.
This budget will allow the Utility to monitor storm water emissions, maintain the existing storm water system, and install new storm water systems in areas currently lacking (for example, Parkview Heights and Oakdale). It will also allow the City to provide required matching funds for the sewer separation of the West Main Street renovation project, which will be starting this fall.
The required $350,000 will be collected through user fees charged to all residences and businesses within the corporate limits of Peru. Every residence will be assessed a monthly fee of $4.00 (four dollars). Business and corporate fees are based on the amount of impervious land area owned in relation to the average residence. A cap of $225.00 (two hundred twenty five dollars) per month was placed on business and corporate accounts.
Please understand that this fee is a result of requirements placed on the City of Peru by the federal government. The Storm Water Board, working with the City of Peru, has attempted to keep these fees at the minimum level possible. While it would be possible to temporarily lower the fees by eliminating or postponing the projects currently needing funding, the Storm Water Board does not feel this would be prudent.
A Storm Water Management Board was formed and tasked with researching the mandate and developing a plan to meet all requirements. Bonar and Associates, a professional engineering firm that has assisted many other Indiana communities with storm water plan development, has been retained as a consultant and advisor.
After considerable study, the Storm Water Management Board has ascertained that the most practical method of accomplishing this task is to form a new Storm Water Utility. To perform the duties required by the EPA mandate, this Utility will require a yearly budget of approximately $350,000.
This budget will allow the Utility to monitor storm water emissions, maintain the existing storm water system, and install new storm water systems in areas currently lacking (for example, Parkview Heights and Oakdale). It will also allow the City to provide required matching funds for the sewer separation of the West Main Street renovation project, which will be starting this fall.
The required $350,000 will be collected through user fees charged to all residences and businesses within the corporate limits of Peru. Every residence will be assessed a monthly fee of $4.00 (four dollars). Business and corporate fees are based on the amount of impervious land area owned in relation to the average residence. A cap of $225.00 (two hundred twenty five dollars) per month was placed on business and corporate accounts.
Please understand that this fee is a result of requirements placed on the City of Peru by the federal government. The Storm Water Board, working with the City of Peru, has attempted to keep these fees at the minimum level possible. While it would be possible to temporarily lower the fees by eliminating or postponing the projects currently needing funding, the Storm Water Board does not feel this would be prudent.
There are so many things to know about stormwater mandates, but the most important information to know is how YOU can help! Please check out our household tips to see what YOU can do to make a difference.
Business Owner? Check out our tips for you!!
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground and is prevented from soaking into the ground by driveways, sidewalks, streets or other impervious areas.
Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river or wetland. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on people, fish, plants and animals. The polluted streams and rivers can be cloudy and make if impossible for plants to grow. It can destroy aquatic habits and remove oxygen from the water which causes fish to die. Bacteria can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards. Trash can choke, suffocate or disable fish, ducks, turtles and birds. People and animals can become sick from eating diseased fish. Polluted water often affects drinking water sources, too, which in turn can affect human health.
Business Owner? Check out our tips for you!!
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground and is prevented from soaking into the ground by driveways, sidewalks, streets or other impervious areas.
Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river or wetland. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on people, fish, plants and animals. The polluted streams and rivers can be cloudy and make if impossible for plants to grow. It can destroy aquatic habits and remove oxygen from the water which causes fish to die. Bacteria can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards. Trash can choke, suffocate or disable fish, ducks, turtles and birds. People and animals can become sick from eating diseased fish. Polluted water often affects drinking water sources, too, which in turn can affect human health.