Frequently Asked Questions

The stormwater fee is something imposed on all property owners to cover all costs associated with managing stormwater runoff. Every property utilizes the stormwater sewer system to efficiently remove rainwater. The fee you pay is used to care for the storm sewer system to reduce flooding within our City. Some items that this fee helps to fund is 

Stormwater runoff is made when rain or snowmelt flows off of land and impervious surfaces, such as rooftops, sidewalks, driveways, lawns, and streets. Stormwater runoff picks up pollutants from the sources it comes into contact with and carries them into our rivers and Lake Michigan. Items such as trash, pet waste, chemicals, and even loose soil can quickly become pollutants when it rains or snows. 

Stormwater management is directly related to our water quality, and water quality affects us all.  Managing stormwater properly protects wildlife, maintains a healthy environment around us, and ensures quality drinking water.

• Check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil
• Compost your yard waste
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces; consider a rain garden to capture rainwater
• Have your septic tank pumped and inspected regularly
• Keep all litter off the street and place it in receptacles so that it does not get washed or blown down storm drains
• Never dump anything down storm drains or in streams
• Pick up after your pet
  • Untreated pet waste can cause significant water pollution
  • When it rains, pet waste left on lawns can be washed into storm drains that lead to nearby lakes and streams
• Recycle product containers made of glass, plastic and aluminum
• Service your car regularly to prevent gasoline, oil, brake and transmission fluids, and anti-freeze from leaking onto the pavement and washing into our streams
• Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the street or driveway street or driveway
• Use absorbent materials like kitty litter or toweling to soak up any spills, then sweep up and dispose of these items properly -  never dilute spills with water
• Use fertilizers sparingly and  sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and gutters
• Use least toxic pesticides, follow labels, and learn how to prevent pest problems
• Vegetate bare spots in your yard