The City of Hermantown is obligated to regulate stormwater runoff. When rain and snow can’t naturally soak into the ground because of roads, roofs, and more, the rate of flow and the water quality is changed. In turn, this can negatively impact streams, lakes, and wetlands
Without any development, rain and snow would either soak in or run off to streams, lakes, and wetlands naturally. But with any development, the City must design and maintain systems that help water flow. These include ditches, culverts, storm drains, catch basins, ponds, bridges, and more. All the roads we drive on prevent water from naturally flowing, so all of our culverts, ditches, and bridges help with water flow and assist in flood prevention.
In short, we all benefit from Hermantown’s stormwater utility system. The city-wide benefit, combined with changing external regulations led the City to enact a utility bill for the stormwater system – finally matching neighboring communities.
The information here will help answer many of the questions that have been asked regarding stormwater and the stormwater utility bill.
- Stormwater Management Plan Summary
- Stormwater Management Submittal Checklist
- Stormwater Management Plan Pre-Application Meeting Verification
- MS4 Statement of Compliance Application
- Erosion Control and Fill Permit Application Packet
- Erosion Control and Fill Permit Application
- 2018 MS4 SWPPP Application for Reauthorization – Request to the MPCA to continue under the MS4 General Permit
- Hermantown’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program – Initial MS4 Application
In both 2019 and 2020, despite the challenges of the global health pandemic, a great deal of stormwater work has been performed in Hermantown. This would not have been possible without the advent of the stormwater utility.
As a member of the Regional Stormwater Protection Team (RSPT), the City of Hermantown takes appropriate efforts to protect our streams and lakes. While this work can be fun – be sure to check out our No Poop Fairy signs in our parks and the video below – it is also incredibly important.
September 16, 2020 – Stormwater Efforts Memo
Recent stormwater work performed includes the following:
Centerline Culverts – Marko Drive, Arrowhead Road, Sundby Road, Anderson Road, Hermantown Road, and Okerstrom Road.
Ditching – West Arrowhead Road, Lightning Drive & Stebner Road, Hermantown Road, Getchell Road, and Arrowhead Road (nearest to the schools).
Full Stormwater System Work – Johnson, Portland, Carlson, Alexander Roads, and Hermantown Road.
In concert with RSPT, the City of Hermantown is an active participant in developing the No Poop Fairy. As always, pick up your pet waste – it is your responsibility.
Utility and Infrastructure Director
Trish Crego
[email protected]
(218) 729-3600
I’m not on the city sewer or water lines, so why do I have to pay a stormwater utility fee?
Stormwater impacts all of Hermantown, so every property owner with impervious surfaces has responsibility to help with costs to maintain the city-wide system for stormwater.
How much is the bill and how often will I receive it?
Current residential water and sewer customers pay $7 per month on their utility bill. Residents who are not on city sewer or water will be billed $42 every six months ($7 per month) in July and January.
Why are we getting this bill now?
Stormwater has been an unfunded utililty since our city was founded in the mid-1970s. A combination of our growth, the rising costs of the system, and new federal and state requirements for managing that system have made this utility bill necessary today.
What value does the stormwater utility have for me as an individual?
This is a great question with a big answer. Most importantly, the billing of this utility covers the maintenance necessary to keep our culverts, ditches, and other stormwater systems functioning propertly. It also funds all future stormwater projects across Hermantown going forward.