Politics & Government
Storm Water Utility: What It Is and How It Will Affect Your Water Bill
Per quarter, Hudson homeowners will pay a flat fee $7.50 on their water bills; apartment-dwellers will pay an extra $3.75. For businesses, calculating the charge is more complicated.
Due to the establishment of a storm water utility, residents and businesses will have to pony up a little extra on their quarterly water bills.
Homeowners will see a new $7.50 charge on their bills while apartment-dwellers will see a $3.75 charge. It's a little more complicated for businesses. They will be charged on a tiered system based on their impervious surface area and other factors. Businesses that help manage their own stormwater discharge can apply for adjustments and credits to lower their burden.
The establishment of the storm water utility was passed at the March 12 City of Hudson Common Council meeting in a 6-0 vote.
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According to City Finance Officer Neil Soltis, the new utility was needed so that the city can comply with federal and state DNR regulations that affect cities of more than 10,000 residents. The 2010 Census showed the city's population as 12,719.
"There is a whole series of things that we'll need to do," Soltis said. "The date at this time is somewhat uncertain, but we know that it's forthcoming. We're going to have to apply for a stormwater discharge permit. In order to get that, we have to show what actions we're undertaking in a number of areas."
Find out what's happening in Hudsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Soltis pointed to flood improvement studies and stormwater managment plans from the past five years and said the city has been studying and working on stormwater issues for years. The establishment of the utility is the result of a long process made more urgent by the 2010 Census figures.
According to Soltis, some of the things the city must address include reducing the quantity of stormwater discharge, improving the quality of it and educating residents about its effects.
"You may see some of that even now," Soltis said. "When you look at the stormwater drains, some of them say they drain into the St. Croix River. Sometimes you'll see fish on them."
In short, the city is collecting the funds so that it can pay for the level of service it is now obligated by law to provide.
"It's also going to allow us to enhance the level of that service," Soltis said.
