A Stormwater Utility Study, which suggests a new monthly ‘user fee’ for better quality of life, flood protection, and to avoid further contamination of rivers and streams, is the topic for the Greater Peoria League of Women Voters meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. 

The meeting takes place at the Peoria School District 150 Board Room, 3202 N. Wisconsin, Peoria.  It is free and open to the public.

The speaker will be Maggie Martino, Planning Program Manager at the Tri County Regional Planning Commission.

The 2014 regionally focused feasibility study is a collaborative effort enabled by Peoria County sharing a partial EPA grant with the units of government in Peoria and Tazewell Counties. The 13 local governments that participated, shared their costs with matching funds included the cities of Peoria, East Peoria, West Peoria, Pekin,  North Pekin, South Pekin,  Bartonville along with Peoria County, Limestone Township, Cincinnati Township, Hollis Township, Washington Township and Morton Township.

Stormwater management is needed because as development occurs and the natural land cover is replaced by hard surfaces — buildings, parking lots, roads — the amount of the rainfall that runs off and the rate and volume of runoff increases. The quality of the runoff is altered, resulting in increased flooding, increased land surface erosion, increased channel erosion, increased pollution in the streams, public health issues related to insects and viruses, and an impact on the overall quality of life in the community.

The feasibility study process that was used in this study included six steps: the development of a stormwater management expenditure plan; data analysis; review of billing options; development of a revenue plan; development of a public education and outreach plan outline; and development of a general draft ordinance.

This important new project will affect every resident in the area. The event includes a question and answer session.