Fact Sheet: Stormwater Funding Program
December 2007
Summary
Arlington County’s approach to managing stormwater runoff is no longer adequate to meet today’s needs due to an older and less effective drainage network built largely between 1930 and 1955. The proposed stormwater funding program addresses the aging infrastructure and other critical issues, such as system capacity, new regulatory requirements, potential impacts from climate change, and the County’s vision of sustainability.
System Challenges
A major flooding event in June 2006 resulted in over 300 reports of damage primarily to residential properties throughout the County, highlighting the complex and costly challenges of managing future storm water runoff. These challenges include: Aging Infrastructure. More than 60 percent of the County’s 360 mile underground pipe network is over 50 years old. Concrete pipes, which comprise the majority of the system, typically last between 50 and 75 Section of Kenmore St. years. Catastrophic failures of large corrugated pipes and culverts in which collapsed during the recent years have created a serious risk to public safety, resulted in multiJune 2006 storm event. million dollar replacement costs, and disrupted traffic during repairs. System Capacity. Like much of the mid-Atlantic region, the County’s existing stormwater drainage network was designed to handle a “10-year storm event,” meaning a storm with a 10 percent chance of occurring in any year. Larger storm events – such as the June 2006 flood, which generated flows equivalent to a 50-100 year storm event – can overwhelm the system’s capacity causing substantial property damage as excess stormwater runoff flows overland. New state and federal regulations to reduce pollution discharged through municipal stormwater systems into the Chesapeake Bay are putting upward cost pressures on local jurisdictions. Climate change. Climate models predict that the frequency of heavy rainfall events will increase sharply as global temperatures continue rising, a trend that will highlight the existing system’s obsolescence.
Public Involvement
• • • The County’s Watershed Management Plan (2001) recommended a study of stormwater funding options. In late 2003, the County Manager appointed a Stormwater Advisory Committee to help staff review the stormwater program and level of service, and to develop a stormwater management funding needs analysis. The current proposal is based largely on this analysis, which was completed in 2004, and updated following the 2006 storm event. Proposed funding for a comprehensive stormwater program was discussed with key commissions and the County Board and included as a strategic initiative in the proposed FY 2008 County budget.
Proposed Stormwater Program and Capital Elements
Between FY 2009 and FY 2014, the estimated funding level for the proposed stormwater program is $8 - $10 million per year. Over this six-year period, approximately $57.4 million in new funding would be provided for stormwater management, with $42.2 million of this cost directed to capital projects.
"Arlington will be a diverse and inclusive world-class urban community with secure, attractive residential and commercial neighborhoods where people unite to form a caring, learning, participating, sustainable community in which each person is important."
Stormwater Program Funding Dec. 2007 / Page 2 This comprehensive proposal also includes critical updates to the County’s storm sewer infrastructure database, an update of the Storm Water Master Plan, and increased resources for inspections and maintenance, engineering plan review, and regulatory compliance. Capital funding in the proposed program addresses: • Infrastructure improvements related to the June 2006 storm Stream channel environmental and flood protection improvements • Enhanced maintenance funding
•
•
Stormwater treatment retrofits to improve water quality in County streams
•
Initial allocation of funds to implement a demonstration project based on the adopted Four Mile Run Restoration Master Plan.
Funding Mechanism
The complexity of the stormwater problem warrants a dedicated funding source, similar to the County’s Utility Fund. An analysis of funding alternatives concluded that the proposed sanitary district tax option is the most viable funding mechanism for stormwater management. This type of tax is used by other Virginia and Maryland jurisdictions, is easily administered, and can be included in the semi-annual real estate bills. It would not apply to existing tax-exempt properties. Under the proposed arrangement, the average Arlington homeowner would pay roughly $75 in new taxes per year, assuming the proposed rate of $0.014 per $100 of assessed property value is adopted.
Learn more
Arlington County’s project contact is Jason Papacosma at 703-228-3613 or visit www.arlingtonva.us/des.