Stormwater Program

Rain and melted snow (called "stormwater") flow off streets, driveways, and yards and into Coal Creek. The city works hard to keep this water clean.

Working together to protect Coal Creek

In 2002, Louisville teamed up with a group now called the Keep It Clean Partnership. Several municipalities work together in this group. Their goal is to stop dirty runoff from houses, stores, and manufacturers from polluting streams and lakes.

In 2008, the state gave Louisville a special permit called a Municipal Separate Storm Systems permit. It lets the City's stormwater system carry water runoff to Coal Creek. The state requires the City to follow certain rules to keep that water clean. The City works with its partners and businesses to follow these rules.

If you want to read the City's official plan for this permit, you can contact the Environmental Compliance Program at ECS@LouisvilleCO.gov.

How the program is paid for

In 2007, the City Council determined that property owners could be charged a small fee to pay for the stormwater program. This money pays for:

• Building projects that help control stormwater

• Fixing and cleaning the pipes and drains that carry stormwater

• Reducing flooding in town

• Removing pollution from the water before it reaches the creek

• Following the rules of the City's special permit

Homes pay one flat monthly fee. Businesses pay a different amount. Their fee depends on how much of their property is covered with hard surfaces, like parking lots, driveways, and roofs. Hard surfaces don't let water soak into the ground, so more rain runs off into the storm drains.