Stormwater Engineering
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Monthly stormwater fees
- Residential grading and flooding
- Drainage easements
- Storm system maintenance or repairs
- Pollution
Monthly fees
Why do we have a Stormwater Utility fee?
In 1993, a Stormwater Task Force was formed to find solutions to decades of flooding problems in Lawrence. After several years of planning, the City Commission established this fee to provide funding for maintenance and improvements to the storm sewer system.
Why do I have to pay? Are fees charged to everyone?
All parcels of land in Lawrence are subject to this fee, including City and other tax-exempt properties. If you are the only customer associated with a property, then you should be charged a fee. If there are multiple customers associated with a property, then you may or may not be charged a fee, depending on the billing established for the property.
How is my monthly fee determined?
Fees are based on the area of impervious surface on the property. The amount charged is determined by multiplying the number of ERU's by the current rate (both defined below).
What is "impervious surface"?
For billing purposes, the area of impervious surface is the area of ground covered by roofs, concrete or asphalt.
What is the "number of ERU's"?
ERU stands for Equivalent Residential Unit, which is the area of impervious surface on an average single-family residential property. In Lawrence, this was determined to be 2,366 square feet.
The number of ERU's assigned to a commercial property should be the total impervious surface divided by 2,366.
Total impervious surface is not known for every residential property; therefore the number of ERU's is based on building footprints as follows:
| Apartment footprint per unit | ERU's | Monthly Charge |
|---|---|---|
| up to 750 | 0.37 | $1.48 |
| 751 + | 0.66 | $2.64 |
| Single-family footprint | ERU's | Monthly Charge |
| up to 1,000 | 0.67 | $2.68 |
| 1,001 to 1,800 | 1.00 | $4.00 |
| 1,801 to 3,000 | 1.25 | $5.00 |
| 3,001 to 4,800 | 1.80 | $7.20 |
| 4,801 + | 2.50 | $10.00 |
What is the current rate?
The monthly charge per ERU is $4.00, effective January 1, 2003.
I have a problem with my Stormwater fee, who can I call?
Contact Stormwater, (785) 832-3143.
Residential grading and drainage
My neighbor graded a dam along our property line, can they do that? My neighbor directed drainage into my yard, can they do that?
The City does not regulate grading on single-family residential properties unless the area is in a drainage easement.
If a neighbor has created a dam that impacts your property, you should ask the property owner to correct the situation.
If a neighbor has directed drainage onto your property, you should ask the property owner to correct the situation. However, it's important to recognize the prevailing drainage patterns. If you are directly downhill, then your neighbor may not have many options. The best solution may involve working together to direct drainage in a way that minimizes adverse impacts.
If the property owner refuses to correct either situation, your next course of action is a civil suit. If you have damages, the property owner may be held responsible. This applies to any residential neighbor, including homeowners, homebuilders and owners of vacant land.
Often these situations require cooperation among several property owners. Difficult drainage problems may even require professional help. Engineering advice is available from the Stormwater Engineer,Matt Bond, (785) 832-3142.
My house floods during heavy rainstorms. Who should I call?
First, determine where the water is entering the building. If it's coming up through a floor drain, you're probably experiencing flooding of the sanitary sewer, and you should contact the Department of Utilities, (785) 832-7800. Sanitary sewers are often overloaded during storms. The Department of Utilities may be able to check the sewers for obstructions.
If water is flooding from a working sump pump, you probably have problems with the grading around your house. All areas of your yard should slope away from the building. The sump pump discharge line should be as short as possible, but should discharge well away from the building. If these precautions are taken and you still have a problem, you are probably experiencing groundwater flow. A second sump pump and backup power may be necessary to keep up with the water.
If the water is entering the basement through windows or doors, you have a true stormwater flooding problem. If the runoff comes from your yard only, you need to correct the grading of your yard to direct water away. If the runoff enters your property from other properties or the street, there's a good chance your location is already identified for future improvements. Contact Matt Bond, (785) 832-3142 for specific information.
Drainage Easements
How do I know if there is a drainage easement on or near my property?
Drainage easements are usually platted with subdivisions, however they may also be granted individually. All plats and easements must be recorded with the Douglas County Register of Deeds. The City also keeps digital records of drainage easements.
Can I build a fence in the drainage easement on my property?
City Code specifically prohibits any obstruction in a drainage easement. Obstructions include man-made barriers such as fences, sheds, firewood and debris, and natural barriers such as trees and brush. If the City determines that a barrier is in fact an obstruction, a violation notice will be issued with instructions to remove the barrier.
Drainage easements are platted to provide a path for stormwater runoff, either on the ground or in a buried system. Property owners are responsible for maintenance on their property to keep drainage easements clear. No grading or construction of any kind may occur in a drainage easement without specific approval from the City.
I have a fence in a drainage easement. My realtor (home builder, fence builder) said it was OK. Is this correct?
Fences do not require a permit from the City, so chances are that the City has not reviewed the location and it is not "OK". As the property owner, you will bear the cost of fence removal once a violation notice is issued.
There are a few rare cases where the City has determined that a barrier in a drainage easement is not an obstruction. The City should have previously issued a letter to document the location.
Storm system maintenance or repairs
There is a broken curb inlet on my street. Who should I call?
Contact Stormwater, (785) 832-3143, to request a field inspection. If the structure is a public storm drain, it will be added to the repair list.
There is a hole in my yard that formed or grew after a rainstorm. What is this?
This is probably a "sink hole" that formed over the top of a buried storm sewer pipe. Contact Stormwater, (785) 832-3143 to request a field inspection. If the pipe is a public storm sewer, it will be added to the repair list.
A tree has fallen over in a creek. Who should I call?
Contact Stormwater, (785) 832-3143
My driveway culvert is in need of repairs. Who should I call?
Existing driveway culverts (tubes, whistles) are maintained by the City. Contact Stormwater, (785) 832-3143
How do I get a new driveway culvert? How do I get a longer driveway culvert?
You have two choices
- Pay the City to install the additional culvert, or
- obtain plan approval from the City and pay a private contractor to do the work.
Culverts installed without City approval will not be maintained and may be removed by the City. Contact Stormwater, (785) 832-3143 to request a field inspection and more information.
Pollution
Where does stormwater go after it enters the storm sewers?
All stormwater runoff eventually enters the river. Along the way it may flow along curbs, into storm drains, through pipes, into ditches, and into streams. The City storm system discharges to the river system at dozens of locations.
Why is stormwater pollution an issue?
Urban areas produce high concentrations of pollutants that are carried to the river by stormwater runoff. Examples include:
- Vehicles:
- oil, gas, antifreeze, heavy metals, salt and litter.
- Homes and businesses:
- fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, yard waste, chemicals, trash and debris.
- Construction sites:
- soil sediment, trash and debris.
These pollutants are washed into the drainage system and discharged to our streams and rivers. This changes the physical, biological and chemical composition of the water, resulting in an unhealthy environment for aquatic organisms, wildlife and humans. Sediment and debris can also lead to increased flooding.
What can I do to reduce stormwater pollution?
Everything that winds up on the ground is likely to enter the drainage system. Our individual choices play a huge role in how much pollution we generate. Starting at your doorstep, think of everything that you do that adds pollution to stormwater, and then try to think of solutions. Here are some easy examples:
- Don't litter.
- Contain your curbside trash so that it won't leak, fall over or blow around.
- Take a walk to pick up litter and debris before it rains.
- Sweep your garage and driveway into a dustpan rather than into the street.
- Don't pitch cigarettes out the car window.
- Repair vehicle or equipment leaks.
- Wash your car in the grass or in a covered carwash station.
- Take all of your unwanted paint, chemicals, cleaners, fuels, pesticides and hazardous waste to the Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
- If you choose to use lawn chemicals, don't over apply.
- Don't over water your lawn.
- Clean up after your pet before it rains.
- Don't dump anything except water into a storm drain.
For more information on stormwater pollution, contact our Stormwater Quality Technician, (785) 832-3136.
For more information on managing waste materials, visit the City of Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling Division, or call (785) 832-3030.
