Nov. 9, 2008
STORM WATER RUNOFF: Makes Plumbers, Down Spout People Happy, Not Residents
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – “You’re going to make plumbers and down spout people happy,” stated at-large councilman Paul Farrell at the Friday, Nov. 7 work session, regarding the first reading of a proposed storm water ordinance.
Huntington has “never been in compliance with the Clean Water Act,” Sanitary Board member James Ashworth told council. The Act requires separation of sanitary and storm water systems. It’s an unfunded mandate by state and federal government; the city and its residents can’t afford the cost.
In an attempt to demonstrate good faith, the Sanitary Board has proposed an ordinance requiring property owners to separate storm and sewer waters. In other words, the rainwater from a storm floods the sewer system and is eventually dumped into the Ohio River.
Under the proposed ordinance, those property owners who did not willing separate their water would be charged a penalty based on the number of inches of rain per period. “We’re supposed to treat sewage, not rainwater,” Ashworth explained. The board member added that the areas of town most prone to flooding would be first addressed so benefits /costs would be transparent and comparable.
However, the formula for calculating the extra premium resulted in two council members ( Dr. Kent, James Insco) quickly addressed its flaws and stating they will not support the ordinance as written .
Although Ashworth explained that the State Public Service Commission requires a rate based on amount, Insco bluntly stated , “There no way you can judge the rainfall. I’m not going to approve this with the formula.” He conjectured that the amount of rain in Westmoreland could be different than that in Altizer/Guyandotte or the Southside.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kent addressed Southside concerns: “It’s impossible for [Southside] slopes drains to be fixed and I’m condemned to pay the fee.”
Ashworth countered, “With a Storm Water Utility , you’ll have to pay for storm water in that drain,” per EPA/DEP opinions. “You’re going to pay one way or the other.”
Kent ascertained that owners of parking lots would face the same runoff formula issue. “I’m not going to support this,” surmising that dozens of houses and dozens of parking lots would have to be dug up at owner expense to comply.
Back in 1980 an ordinance mandated that no one could connect storm water to the sewer system. A proposal during the session to “grandfather” systems prior to 1980 brought a terse, “grandfathering kills the concept” from Ashworth. He called level areas a problem and some of the most troublesome rain water flooding sections of town are those that need to address the issue.
The storm water ordinance will be up for first reading. It will not be voted on and comments will not be allowed from those sitting in the chamber. City council meets Monday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Auditorium.
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STORM WATER RUNOFF: Makes Plumbers, Down Spout People Happy, Not Residents
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – “You’re going to make plumbers and down spout people happy,” stated at-large councilman Paul Farrell at the Friday, Nov. 7 work session, regarding the first reading of a proposed storm water ordinance.
Huntington has “never been in compliance with the Clean Water Act,” Sanitary Board member James Ashworth told council. The Act requires separation of sanitary and storm water systems. It’s an unfunded mandate by state and federal government; the city and its residents can’t afford the cost.
In an attempt to demonstrate good faith, the Sanitary Board has proposed an ordinance requiring property owners to separate storm and sewer waters. In other words, the rainwater from a storm floods the sewer system and is eventually dumped into the Ohio River.
Under the proposed ordinance, those property owners who did not willing separate their water would be charged a penalty based on the number of inches of rain per period. “We’re supposed to treat sewage, not rainwater,” Ashworth explained. The board member added that the areas of town most prone to flooding would be first addressed so benefits /costs would be transparent and comparable.
However, the formula for calculating the extra premium resulted in two council members ( Dr. Kent, James Insco) quickly addressed its flaws and stating they will not support the ordinance as written .
Although Ashworth explained that the State Public Service Commission requires a rate based on amount, Insco bluntly stated , “There no way you can judge the rainfall. I’m not going to approve this with the formula.” He conjectured that the amount of rain in Westmoreland could be different than that in Altizer/Guyandotte or the Southside.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kent addressed Southside concerns: “It’s impossible for [Southside] slopes drains to be fixed and I’m condemned to pay the fee.”
Ashworth countered, “With a Storm Water Utility , you’ll have to pay for storm water in that drain,” per EPA/DEP opinions. “You’re going to pay one way or the other.”
Kent ascertained that owners of parking lots would face the same runoff formula issue. “I’m not going to support this,” surmising that dozens of houses and dozens of parking lots would have to be dug up at owner expense to comply.
Back in 1980 an ordinance mandated that no one could connect storm water to the sewer system. A proposal during the session to “grandfather” systems prior to 1980 brought a terse, “grandfathering kills the concept” from Ashworth. He called level areas a problem and some of the most troublesome rain water flooding sections of town are those that need to address the issue.
The storm water ordinance will be up for first reading. It will not be voted on and comments will not be allowed from those sitting in the chamber. City council meets Monday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall Auditorium.
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