In Onalaska, water from the storm system drains directly to the La Crosse River, Lower Black River, Lake Onalaska, or Mississippi River.
Yes, there is a stormwater utility fee. For some, there is a stormwater utility credit.
- Fees for a residential property are $14.90 each quarter (a flat fee for all).
- Residential property is defined as property with two or fewer units—single family homes, duplexes, and twindos.
- Fees for a non-residential property are a little trickier. They are calculated by: actual hard surface area /3,888 (average hard surface area) * $59.63.
- Non-residential properties include commercial, institutional, manufacturing, tax-exempt, mobile home parks, and multi-family dwellings with three or more units.
- Residential properties are not eligible for a fee reduction. Non-residential property owners can reduce their fee by 50%
Why a fee? And where does it go?
The City of Onalaska owns and maintains more than 87 miles of streets, 54 miles of storm sewer, more than 2,500 drainage structures (such as inlets and manholes), seven wet detention basins, and 15 dry detention basins. Much of the existing drainage system is more than 30 years old and in need of repair. To reduce polluted runoff, the City cleans and maintains ditches, detention basins, storm sewers, catch basins, manholes, and streambanks. In addition, they do street sweeping and leaf collection. They construct and maintain stormwater treatment, detention, and conveyance facilities. And on top of that, they develop programs and practices to help educate the community.
I have questions. Who can help?
Kevin Schubert, Assistant City Engineer