What is stormwater?
Stormwater is generated when rain or snow melt flows over streets and land to the storm drainage system. The City of Lafayette is committed to administering a proactive stormwater management program to improve the flow of runoff entering the storm sewer system, mitigate polluted water traveling to local creeks and streams, and better protect residents from flood events.
Why are rates increasing?
- Monthly stormwater rates have not increased since 2007.
- Operational expenses and the cost to maintain conveyance and detention areas have increased over the last ten years.
- Major flood control/conveyance systems from the 1980 Master Plan still need to be constructed.
- The 2013 floods revealed some weaknesses in our major flood control/conveyance system that need to be addressed.
- Stormwater capital construction projects are very expensive.
- We are incurring new costs associated with meeting regulatory requirements to ensure pollutants are kept out of streams and waterways.
How much are rates increasing?
A 30% rate increase annually over the next three years, and a 5% increase for two additional years will allow the major projects identified to be accomplished by 2030.
Why are stormwater fees just increasing now instead of over the last ten years?
It’s a matter of timing. Over the last ten years, there have been significant water rate increases to fund the City’s participation in several raw water storage projects that will provide firm (drought) water for the future. Over the last five years, there have also been significant wastewater (sewer) rate increases to design and build new facilities in order to meet the state mandated Regulation 85 by 2022. This regulation is intended to continue improving the quality of water being discharged into streams and lakes.
In an effort to try to ease the ongoing burden of utility rate increases for Lafayette residents, the stormwater projects and fees were delayed. We are now faced with the need to complete these necessary projects.
View the September 5, 2017 stormwater presentation to City Council
Download the September 5, 2017 stormwater presentation to City Council
What projects are planned?
- West Emma (Bermont to Public Road) $1,700,000 [2013 estimate]
- New pipe and collection system and tie-in to PR pipe [Design Complete $195,000]
- Drainageway 2 (First Union Subdivision to 119th) $500,000
- Channelize and pipe/culvert under 119th
- Drainageway 3 (East Emma from Burlington Ditch to Coal Creek) $4,000,000
- Improvements to Burlington/East Emma ditches and pipe flows to Coal Creek
- Drainageway 4 (From Public Road to Coal Creek) $500,000
- Rehabilitation to return to original capacity
- Drainageway 5 (US Hwy 287) $1,000,000
- Rehabilitation to return to original capacity
- 120th Street (West Emma to Coal Creek) $550,000
- Rehabilitation to restore capacity (partially corrected with widening of S Boulder Road)
- Bullhead Gulch $100,000
- Minor natural channelization
- Various Neighborhood Projects @ ~$200,000 each [Known issues]
- Rock Creek Drive, Locksley Street, South Roosevelt Street, Lucerne Drive Detention, Cherrywood Detention, Whispering Meadows Drainage, South Boulder Road Detention & Illium & Doric Detentions. (All rehabilitation to restore capacity and/or function, at this moment)