What is a Drainage Utility?

by Pam Bissonnette, City of Bellevue, Bellevue, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Resources Planning and Management and Urban Water Resources

Abstract:

A drainage utility is: a financing mechanism, providing a stable and dedicated funding source for surface water quality and quantity control; and a governmental entity whose mission is to provide surface water quality and quantity control. Drainage utilities have come into being to address largely the flooding and water quality problems associated with urbanization and separated storm sewers. Even when some of the worst impacts are addressed on the site of the development through detention, water treatment, etc., some organization must make it its responsibility to see that these mitigation mechanisms continue to work, receive maintenance and to take care of the residual effects that cannot be addressed completely on site. This paper discusses the Bellevue Storm & Surface Water Utility to illustrate what a drainage utility can provide and why any urbanizing area today should strongly consider the creation of one to control surface water runoff and funding from other than general taxes.

Subject Headings: Water quality | Utilities | Surface water | Municipal water | Stormwater management | Financing | Drainage

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