The City became a Phase II Permitted Community in November, 2006, mandating a reduction in the pollution being discharged from our storm sewer system. The City is required to develop pollution reduction ordinances, establish an educational program, and reduce our suspended solids discharge to the surrounding waterways. The City has adopted the ordinances, joined with other communities to develop an education program, and is working on a plan to reduce the pollution discharge. The plan involves construction of detention ponds, purchasing a new vacuum sweeper, and cleaning and maintaining the existing storm sewer system, at an estimated cost of $3.5 to $4.0 million over the six years.

The City has decided to fund this work through a Stormwater Utility and fee structure. The fee charged will be based on the impervious area on a parcel. Single family parcels will be charged one (1) ERU (equivalent runoff unit) which represents 3,096 square feet of impervious area at a cost of approximately $28.00/year. Duplexes will be billed at 0.7 ERUs/unit/year, and three and four family units will be billed at 0.5 ERUs/unit/year. Five family and larger units, commercial, industrial, schools and churches will have their impervious areas measured off of aerial photography to determine their stormwater fees. Those fees will be based on the number of ERUs for each parcel. The fees will appear on your water and sewer bill and are scheduled to start in January, 2010.

The City will be developing a credit policy that property owners will be able to fill out to request a reduction in a portion of their fee. In addition, property owners can help by reducing stormwater runoff through redirection and the use of rain barrels and rain gardens, and can reduce pollution by not putting grass clippings, leaves and lawn waste into the street.

Additional information can be found on the City's website, www.fortatkinsonwi.net, or by contacting the Engineering Department at (920) 563-7760.