Storm Water Management A report to City Council March 2006

Storm Water Management Program History Mandated by the 1987 Clean Water Act Mandated by the 1987 Clean Water Act –Prohibits non-storm water discharges into municipal storm sewers –Goal is reduction of discharge of pollutants to the “maximum extent practicable.”

Hampton’s Permit Status City received first MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit in 1996 City received first MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit in 1996 Second permit renewal is due to be issued in March 2006 (each permit has a five year term) Second permit renewal is due to be issued in March 2006 (each permit has a five year term) Continued debate among regulators between “good housekeeping” and “good numbers” Continued debate among regulators between “good housekeeping” and “good numbers”

Hampton’s Storm Water Program Elements Focus of program is water quality Structural and source control measures to reduce pollutant discharges into the MS4. Structural and source control measures to reduce pollutant discharges into the MS4. Detect and remove unauthorized non-storm water discharges Detect and remove unauthorized non-storm water discharges Monitor and control pollutants from industrial sources Monitor and control pollutants from industrial sources Best management practices to reduce pollutants in run off from construction sites Best management practices to reduce pollutants in run off from construction sites

Implementation of Storm Water Program Elements Ordinances governing development Ordinances governing development Site plan reviews, working with developers to minimize water quality impacts Site plan reviews, working with developers to minimize water quality impacts Inspection of new construction, redevelopment, subdivisions, etc. Inspection of new construction, redevelopment, subdivisions, etc. Construction of flood control projects with emphasis on water quality benefits Construction of flood control projects with emphasis on water quality benefits

Design Storm Curves Intensity – Duration – Frequency (I-D-F)

Annual Budget for Storm Water Program Revenues from Storm Water Utility Revenues from Storm Water Utility –$3.60 per month per ERU (2,429 SF) –Generates $3.7 million per year Regional Rates for Comparision: Regional Rates for Comparision: –Newport News$4.00/ERU/Month –Suffolk$5.11/ERU/Month –Portsmouth$4.50/ERU/Month –Norfolk$5.40/ERU/Month –Virginia Beach$5.00/ERU/Month

Annual Budget for Storm Water Program Program is executed by several city departments including Codes, Engineering, Planning, Finance, Parks and Public Works Program is executed by several city departments including Codes, Engineering, Planning, Finance, Parks and Public Works

Storm Water Expenditures

Capital Projects Nearly 50 projects have been completed across Hampton Nearly 50 projects have been completed across Hampton Initial projects were bond funded with FY 05 bond issuance Initial projects were bond funded with FY 05 bond issuance Without a growing revenue source, capital projects are now funded “pay as you go” Without a growing revenue source, capital projects are now funded “pay as you go” Emphasis is placed on Neighborhood Drainage Improvement Projects Emphasis is placed on Neighborhood Drainage Improvement Projects

Fox Hill Ditch

Newtown Drainage Improvements

Old Buckroe Road Drainage Basin

Maryland Avenue Ditch Elimination

Park Place Ditch Elimination

Buckroe Heights Ditch Elimination

Wythe Phenix Drainage Improvements

Shell Road Drainage Basin

Tyler-Seldendale Drainage Improvements

Willow Road Outfall

Windsor Terrace Drainage Improvements

Newmarket Creek Large watershed – subject of numerous studies Large watershed – subject of numerous studies Latest US Army COE study found no “economically justified” solutions Latest US Army COE study found no “economically justified” solutions Many homes constructed prior to enactment of current building codes requiring finished floor above 100 year flood elevation Many homes constructed prior to enactment of current building codes requiring finished floor above 100 year flood elevation

Newmarket Creek Changing weather patterns have increased frequency of flood events on Newmarket Creek Changing weather patterns have increased frequency of flood events on Newmarket Creek –No flooding recorded between 1972 and 1998 –Flood events in 1998 (back to back Nor’easters), 1999 (Hurricane Floyd), 2000 (summer thunderstorm), 2003 (Hurricane Isabel), 2005 (October rain event) Entire country seeing increased flooding from unusual weather events Entire country seeing increased flooding from unusual weather events

Newmarket Creek Structural flood control methods appear infeasible (based on US Army COE studies) Structural flood control methods appear infeasible (based on US Army COE studies) City of Newport News has Flood Assistance Program City of Newport News has Flood Assistance Program –Program purchases flood impacted properties from willing sellers at market value

Newmarket Creek Staff recommends similar program for Hampton Staff recommends similar program for Hampton –Property owners would apply to be included in program (willing sellers only - limited to properties with known record of repetitive structural flooding) –Properties would be purchased using storm water funds (as funding is available) –Properties would be leased through the HRHA with notice of potential flooding at discounted rental rate

Newmarket Creek Other actions: Other actions: –Retain consultant to perform another study of the watershed to look for creative solutions to relieve flooding –Continue to inspect, clear and snag on a regular basis using City drainage crews

Summary Storm Water Management Program is still wrestling with regulatory issues Storm Water Management Program is still wrestling with regulatory issues –Future regulations will only be tighter and more focused on end of pipe results The frequency of intense rain events or extreme tidal events appears to be increasing – resulting in more frequent flooding The frequency of intense rain events or extreme tidal events appears to be increasing – resulting in more frequent flooding –Some areas of the city will remain subject to flooding regardless of the investment in storm water infrastructure