UPDATE: Following a report to City Council in July of 2012, direction was given to proceed with updating the proposal for the Water Resources Protection Program (WRPP) and its dedicated funding mechanism, a stormwater utility. A Citizens Advisory Committee was reconvened and met on September 5th and 26th and October 24th at the Charlottesville Area Transit Center to provide input on the program of services and associated cost. The Committee has issued a Summary Report, which is posted below. Open House sessions were held on November 28, 2012 to present the WRPP and Stormwater Utility to the community and gather feedback. A Stormwater Utility Report was presented to City Council on January 7, 2013. A public hearing on the WRPP and the Stormwater Utility Ordinance was held at the January 22, 2013 City Council Meeting. The first reading and second readings of the Stormwater Utility Ordinance were held on February 4th and 19th, respectively. City Council approved the Ordinance and an accompanying Resolution establishing a Council-appointed, standing WRPP Advisory Committee on February 19th. Specific policies pertaining to credits, incentives, and assistance programs will be brought back to City Council for approval prior to the launch of the utility in January 2014.
To see a list of Frequently Asked Questions, CLICK HERE
To see the Stormwater Utility Ordinance CLICK HERE
To see graphics from the Open House Sessions CLICK HERE
If you have any questions or comments, please email stormwater@charlottesville.org
Charlottesville 2012 WRPP Advisory Committee Materials:
11/15/12 - WRPP Advisory Committee Summary Report
9/5/12 - WRPP Advisory Committee Meeting #1
9/26/12 - WRPP Advisory Committee Meeting #2
10/24/12 - WRPP Advisory Committee Meeting #3
The main goals of the WRPP are to address the following water resources challenges:
| Regulatory Compliance |
| Drainage and Flooding Problems |
| Stormwater Infrastructure Rehabilitation |
| Environmental Protection and Restoration |
| Public Education, Outreach, and Involvement |
The City, with the assistance of the WRPP Advisory Committee, has assessed and evaluated the current level of water resources and stormwater services provided to the citizens of Charlottesville, as well as the current and future need for and cost of enhanced and additional services.
The proposed WRPP would be funded mainly through the collection of a stormwater utility fee from all city property owners. The fee will be based on the amount of impervious area on city properties. Impervious area is defined as "any area covered by hard surfaces such as structures, paving, compacted gravel, concrete, or other man-made features that prevent, restrict, or impede the downward passage of stormwater into the underlying soil". The amount of impervious surface provides a direct correlation to the amount of stormwater runoff generated, and therefore to a properties' contribution to the stormwater and water resources challenges listed above. |
The WRPP Advisory Committee was established by our City Council to help guide this process and ensure that the input and concerns of city stakeholders are heard and addressed. The Advisory Committee met multiple times over the course of 2008 to provide direction and guidance in the formulation of numerous important WRPP policy decisions. The Committee's Final Report and minutes from the Advisory Committee meetings are posted to this webpage below:
WRPP Advisory Committee Final Report (October 2008)
4-15-08 WRPP Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
5-21-08 WRPP Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
6-18-08 WRPP Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
7-16-08 WRPP Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
8-20-08 WRPP Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
9-17-08 WRPP Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
If you have any questions or comments, please email stormwater@charlottesville.org