Hillary Repik
Stormwater Manager

A little history
In 1996, under the guidelines of the South Carolina Stormwater and Sediment Reduction Act of 1991, the Town Council of Mount Pleasant, voted to institute a Stormwater Utility and management program. These fees are used only for supporting the annual cost of the Stormwater Management Program. Staff has also been successful in securing grant funding to complete several additional drainage improvement projects throughout the Town of Mount Pleasant.

The program’s intent is to effectively utilize the generated funds to address maintenance, structural, flooding and water quality issues associated with drainage systems. Over a period of time, real progress can be achieved through low rates without placing an unfair burden on property owners.

Our program calls for a steady expenditure of funds that will result in widespread improvements throughout the town over several years. We utilize, whenever possible, town crews to install new public drainage system and to perform the repairs and replacements needed on old systems.

By not having to hire contractors, project costs are kept low. It may take more time to accomplish multiple projects; however, we are able to address the immediate and ongoing maintenance needs and construction needs simultaneously.

Once chronic flooding problems have been addressed, then upgrading sub standard systems and replacing deteriorating infrastructure can be tackled. Eventually new Federal Regulations will require that the Town also actively address the water quality of storm water discharges.

WHY MANAGE STORMWATER?
Every resident and business contributes to stormwater runoff and pollution. You may not have storm drains or flooding problems on your street but your home has impervious surfaces such as the roof and the driveway that increase the amount of stormwater runoff and decrease the amount of natural environment that is available to absorb stormwater.

The loss of this area to impervious surfaces means that storm water is not absorbed quickly enough in to the ground by the remaining areas. The increased amount of water flows above ground until it can be collected This water needs to go somewhere and the systems that take it away need to be maintained in order to protect our property.

Stormwater Management involves the maintenance and evaluation of existing drainage systems, flood prevention, water quality protection and customer service. There are direct and indirect benefits from the stormwater program. Not everyone receives a direct benefit at his or her doorstep.

Your fee does not specifically involve a specific service to your property but represents a collective effort to resolving issues and problems across the town through a reasonable and timely process. We all receive an indirect benefit from the storm drain systems that provide safe roadways, protect our homes, and protect the environment.

Flooding
Over time, debris and silt block drainage systems. Drainage pipes can fail over time and will need to be repaired or replaced. If the drainage systems that collect this water and remove it from the roads are not maintained flooding could occur.

Development also reduces the area available for collecting the increased volumes of stormwater, hence the requirement for the use of detention pond systems in newer neighborhoods. Older neighborhoods may one day require retrofits or additional attention to reduce flooding occurrences, as they are not protected by engineered drainage systems.

Flood damage costs are an expense for the entire community, not just the flooded resident or business because they can affect long term insurance costs. The Town participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and the Community Rating System to help keep the costs of flood insurance down for our residents.

Through the performance of certain required activities the Town has been awarded a rating that gives our residents, who have flood insurance, the indirect benefit of a 10% reduction in flood insurance. You will find flood protection and prevention information in this site as well as information on the activities that we do to help prevent flooding in the Town.

Water Quality
Stormwater is not treated before it enters the rivers, creeks, marshes and lakes (waterways) in our area. These ponds also help to clean the water before it enters our surrounding waterways. Pollution from vehicles, lawn care, pet waste, yard fertilizing and other household activities are also stormwater problems. When pet waste and fertilizers enter the drainage systems it can cause excess vegetation to grow in ditches and ponds. Chemicals and other items can cause water quality problems and be harmful to aquatic life.

New Federal Regulations, from the Clean Water act of the 1970’s, require that the Town further address and implement programs to help improve water quality in our surrounding waterways. Funding will be required to implement new programs and conduct activities as required by these regulations. Much of the pollutants are associated with our every day activities. As we develop the area around us, we create more pollution and stresses for the environment these problems will need to be addressed and managed through a long-term program operated by our utility.

Deterioration of Infrastructure
The issues of aging or inadequate public storm drain systems, flooding, and water quality need to be addressed. By adopting this proactive program, we are working to keep the public drainage systems operational by reducing flooding while protecting our natural environment.

The work we perform today will help save money by reducing flood losses and environmental cleanup costs. Therefore a user fee is charged to every property owner for the management of additional stormwater, the infrastructure, and the pollution that is generated.

The funds generated go directly to new storm drain installation projects, routine ditch maintenance, or drainage system repairs. Residents may receive a direct benefit from the stormwater utility if the infrastructure in their area is deteriorating and needs to be repaired or replaced.

Service
We look forward to bringing both direct and indirect services to the residents and businesses of Mount Pleasant. Our staff cares about the quality of our work and the timeliness of our response to your calls for service and information inquiries. Because of the volume of calls or the complexity or repairs it may take some time to get to non-emergency maintenance items. We appreciate your patience and understanding that we will address your concern shortly. We hope that the information provided in this site will help us to serve you in a more efficient manor.

We are charged the helping to keep our homes and businesses safe from flooding, our creeks and marshes clean for future generations and keeping the public drainage systems in good working order. There may be times when we are unable to work on a system because it is not a part of the public drainage system, however, we will work to provide those property owners with guidance and options for their property.

We work hard to keep our costs low by performing most repair and capital projects in house and we care about doing a good job. We like to think that it is a “good thing” if we do not have to visit your area or property for a flooding, maintenance, or water quality problem but we look forward to working with you when we do!