HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-073 - Stormwater Management Program & Funding Review - Study Update & Interim ReportREPORT
Report To: Development and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: May 7, 2007
Submitted By: Dave Mansell, Director of Engineering
Prepared By: Carrie Curtis, Senior Project Manager (741-2419)
Ward(s~ Involved: All Wards
Date of Report: April 12, 2007
Report No.: DTS-07-073
Subject: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND FUNDING
REVEW -STUDY UPDATE AND INTERIM REPORT
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
BACKGROUND:
In June 2005, Council recommended the award of the stormwater Utility Feasibility Study to
Totten Sims Hubicki which was to be conducted jointly with the City of Waterloo. The study
was undertaken to identify the Cities' existing stormwater assets, review it's existing stormwater
programs, identify a suggested level of service and finally, to identify, review and recommend a
preferred funding mechanism. It should be noted that based on input from the stormwater
Advisory Committee and through public consultation, the Cities have formally changed the study
name to stormwater Management Program and Funding Review. The purpose of this report is
to present the findings of the Interim Report as prepared by Totten Sims Hubicki and authorize
proceeding with further study works and public consultation.
REPORT:
The City of Kitchener currently maintains approximately 690 km of storm sewer, 10,400
catchbasins, 73 ponds, l7 oil grit separators and 95 km of watercourse. The total asset value of
the Storm Drainage System is approximately $300,000,000. This represents a significant
investment to the City and, as such, inspection, maintenance and capital expenditures are
required to ensure the system functions as required. The purpose for undertaking the
stormwater Management Program and Funding Review is to identify the City's current level of
service, compare this to the legislated requirements and guidelines, develop a suggested level
of service and investigate and recommended a preferred funding source for the suggested
program.
The City of Kitchener current stormwater (SWM} program consists of four general components:
operation and maintenance, environmental compliance, capital improvement projects and
planning and management. Stormwater is managed in order to protect the public from flooding,
maintain/improve water quality, and address/prevent erosion and debris collection which can
impact public and private property as well as impair water quality. Many of the best
management practices ~BMPs) that have been constructed within the City ~e.g. Storm ponds,
oil/grit separators, etc.), are not only designed to prevent against flooding and erosion, but
improve water quality for aquatic and terrestrial habitat as well as downstream drinking water
recipients. All of the stormwater flow within the City of Kitchener is directed towards the Grand
River with the ultimate receiver being Lake Erie.
As part of the study, current Federal and Provincial legislation and guidelines were reviewed to
determine how the City's program compared to the various acts and guidelines. Stormwater
related works are subject to such legislation as the Ontario Water Resources Act, Canadian
Environmental Protection Act, the Fisheries Act and several guidelines published through the
Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Natural Resources. The Grand River Conservation
Authority also provides a significant role in the permitting and approvals process as well as
being a lead on the new Clean Water Act which will have municipal impacts as work related to
this Act evolves. In comparing such things as Operations and Maintenance frequencies to the
available guidelines, it is evident that Kitchener is falling short on many of it's practices. For
example, a review of 2006 expenditures indicate that the equivalent of two full time employees
were dedicated to the inspection and overall maintenance of the City's 95 km of watercourse
and 73 ponds. Review of the current City practices and programs identified elements that are
done well and those that require improvement. Elements that are done well include:
o Leaf collection
o Street sweeping
o Cash-in-lieu Stormwater Policy collection
o Conducting an annual stormwater audit
o Development approvals
Elements requiring improvement include:
o Facility inventory, monitoring and maintenance
o Sediment removal from SWM ponds and oil/grit separators
o SWM asset management
o Development of operation and maintenance programs, procedures and schedules
o Annual audit/cash-in-lieu implementation and follow-up
A summary of the maintenance existing and recommended frequencies are provided in the
attached Executive Summary.
In order to be proactive and manage stormwater issues, the following should take place:
o Update/populate the City's database/inventory of stormwater infrastructure with and
outdated or missing information. This will assist in program development and
prioritization of works and collection of background data to pursue any works required.
o Develop operational and maintenance programs, policies and procedures based on a
reasonable level of service using benchmarking tools and Provincial/Federal guidelines.
o Implement the program, policies and procedures for the various components of the
program include operation and maintenance, capital works and environmental
compliance.
Costs of managing this issues are summarized in the executive summary attached.
In addition to the technical work completed to date, significant public engagement has been
undertaken. This has included development of a Stormwater Advisory Committee (SWAG}
comprised of stakeholders from across the City of Kitchener and Waterloo. Representation has
included the school boards and universities, the Chamber of Commerce, other business
representation and members of the public. Five meeting have been held with the SWAG as well
as individual meetings with the various stakeholders to identify issues and concerns. A Public
Open House was also held for the general public to provide comment and insight as well.
The next components of the study will deal with investigation of funding mechanisms to support
a recommended level of service. This will include reconvening the Stormwater Advisory
Committee and further consultation with the public. Some of the funding mechanisms that will
be investigated include taxes, fees and special charges or other means such as partnerships,
grants, etc. Following this investigation and further public consultation, a report will be brought
forward to Council identifying the various options and their impacts. A recommendation on a
preferred funding alternative will then be made.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None at this time. Additional funding for further public consultation will likely be required and will
be brought forward to Finance and Corporate Services Committee at a later date.
COMMUNICATIONS:
A Stormwater Advisory Committee (SWAG) was formed to provide input throughout the duration
of the study process. This committee is comprised of several stakeholders from the Cities of
Kitchener and Waterloo. The committee has met on five occasions to date and will reconvene
for the duration of the study. An additional Public Information Centre was held to receive
feedback from the general public. Further public consultation will be conducted throughout the
duration of the study with assistance from the City's Communications Department.
CONCLUSION:
The City of Kitchener has stormwater management assets valued at approximately
$300,000,000. Review of the existing stormwater program indicates that the City is currently not
meeting Provincial and Federal regulations and guidelines with respect to stormwater
management operations and maintenance is generally reactive with respect to capital
projects/expenditures and other program elements. The purpose of the study is to identify the
deficiencies within the program, develop a suggested level of service with respect to stormwater
and explore and recommend a preferred funding mechanism to fund the suggested program.
To date, a suggested level of service has been identified with the next steps of the study being
to continue examining funding mechanisms and continue public consultation throughout the
process.
Carrie Curtis, P. Eng.
Senior Project Manager
Dave Mansell, P. Eng.
Director of Engineering