Stormwater Utility

City of Aberdeen Public Works Department

There are several components to Stormwater Management that the City of Aberdeen is working on.  They are as follows:

1)       Stormwater Quality – This has been a concern for many years for many parts of the Community.  Sediment and Creosote have been a common problem in the Mocassin Creek for decades.  The following items are being done to address the problems associated with water quality and it’s corresponding improvement:

a)       Erosion and Sediment Control – The Environmental Protection Agency has implemented rules through the SDDENR to improve water quality by requiring the following items:

i)         Phase II Stormwater Requirements – Powerpoint presentation explaining the minimum measures. 

ii)  Education - An informational brochure has been produced to explain the effects of Stormwater runoff and associated pollution.

iii)  Best Management Practices – A copy of BMP’s are available at the City Engineer’s office

iiii) Ordinance -  Copy of what was enacted by the City Council on February 25^th, 2008.

b)       Moccasin Creek Improvements – Impairments to the creek have created a need to take a closer look at what could be done to improve water quality and associated asthetics.

i) Studies – a study of the Moccasin Creek was performed by SDDENR, which is available on the SDDENR website, and a study performed by Westwood accomplished in a partnership with many local entities, available for review at City Hall.

2)       Stormwater Quantity – The amount of runoff from a property has been a concern for many years.  Aberdeen is a community with flat terrain and prevention of flooding is being dealt with through use of the following:

a)       Flood Plain Management – The City of Aberdeen has enforced rules and regulations set by FEMA through the State’s Division of Emergency Management.  The first Map was adopted in 1977 and a 2^nd map in 1988.  FEMA recently performed a map modernization project for the Aberdeen area (2007) and the following are a result of that process:

i)  Ordinance – Copy of what was enacted by the City Council on February 25^th, 2008.

ii) Digital Mapping – The digital maps are available for review at City Hall.

b)       Detention Ponds and Conveyance Systems

i)  Stormwater Management Plan – The City has changed it’s ways of dealing with stormwater runoff over time.  Review of planned development is based on recommendations from 2 studies.  EarthTech performed a study for the SW quadrant of the community in 1998 and HDR performed a study for the remainder of the area in 2001.  Copies of the studies are available for review at City Hall.

c)       Storm Water Utility Fees – A utility was established in 2006  to cover the costs of maintenance of the City’s Storm Sewer System.  The fees that are charged are based on a formula that takes into account the land usage, size of the parcel and the current unit charge. 

i)         Ordinance – The ordinance governing Storm Drainage is 05-09-07 and can be found on this website under ordinances.

For more information regarding Stormwater, contact the Public Works Department at 626-7010 or e-mail us at publicworks@aberdeen.sd.us.