During policy and planning following regular business, the Pella City Council will discuss stormwater issues in the community at their regular meeting Tuesday. The council will discuss some main areas of concern, as according to a staff memo, there are several areas that developed over time resulting in areas that have very little–if any, storm sewer infrastructure to handle large rain events. This typically adds to the problem of street flooding and basement back-ups. Without the appropriate storm sewer available, property owners with the proper plumbing just recycle the water in their yard or into the street.

The city has increased the capacity in the sanitary sewer system by adding pumping stations, force mains, and large detention areas which has allowed the city to increase the amount of stormwater transported to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. However, adding additional capacity is not a preferred long-term solution by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since 2002, new subdivisions have been required to provide areas for stormwater detention. In addition, since 2007, the city has required eight-inch secondary storm sewers in all new subdivisions including individual sump pump drain line services to each lot.

The council will discuss two main projects that may help the issue — upgrades to infrastructure along University Street, which would cost the city $3 million and could cost homeowners between $3,000 and $15,000 to connect to, but would construct a new storm sewer system where one does not exist, as well as upgrades to the intersection of Main and Independence, which has an estimated price tag of $3.5 to $4.5 million.

Council will also discuss a possible stormwater utility, which would require an ordinance. No formal action will be taken on this issue during Tuesday’s meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in the Pella Public Safety Complex.