Project Background
The City of Cambridge is undertaking a Stormwater Management Funding Study to determine a sustainable funding mechanism for operation, maintenance and replacement of stormwater infrastructure and to establish levels of service for the City’s stormwater management program.
Purpose of the Stormwater Management Funding Study
- Better define and understand existing infrastructure assets and future needs
- Evaluate potential stormwater management costs and funding impacts
- Make informed recommendations about stormwater priorities, level of investment, and funding options
The City’s stormwater management system consists of approximately 370 kilometers (km) of storm sewers plus culverts, drainage channels, ponds and watercourses and is valued at $530 Million. The operation, maintenance and replacement of the system is currently funded through property taxes.
A City-wide Stormwater Management Master Plan was adopted by City Council in 2011, which included an inventory of all the City’s stormwater management facilities, development of hydrologic models of the trunk storm sewer system and updates to the City’s Stormwater Management policy. The plan also included high-level funding requirements to maintain the existing facilities.
The City’s Asset Management Plan (2019) identified a current funding gap for renewal of existing stormwater infrastructure.
A key component of this Study is engaging with the public to understand their perspectives on the stormwater management needs of the City and the best way to fund these needs.
