The City of Pensacola is one of the oldest cities in the State of Florida, with a history of urban settlement dating back 300 years. In this coastal community, tropical storms and hurricanes have periodically reminded residents of the critical need to manage the large volumes of runoff generated in short time periods by sub-tropical weather systems. Urbanization has put substantial pressure on both the natural and man-made hydrologic systems to accommodate increasing amounts of runoff carrying ever more complex pollutants. Under the Clean Water Act, more restrictive federal mandates, aimed at reducing the pollution flowing into "Waters of the Nation", focus increased attention on the issue of stormwater management.

The City of Pensacola lies within a 35 sq. mi. watershed. Approximately 23 sq. miles, or 62% of the watershed is comprised by the City. The Pensacola Watershed consists of eleven smaller "hydrologically" distinct basins. All runoff from the watershed (and, by extension, from within the City) discharges into either Pensacola or Escambia Bay. With only a few exceptions, the runoff within the watershed passes through some feature of the City's conveyance system, discharging to Bayou Chico or Bayou Texar in some cases, en route to Pensacola Bay.

Background Information
The Pensacola Watershed is characterized by gently rolling terrain comprised of sandy soil unerlain with lime rock at varying depths. Prior to being drained for urban uses, large portions of the area were natural wetlands with meandering water courses that allowed sediments to "settle-out" before reaching open water bodies. Over the years, one such water course, known as Carpenter Creek, has been re-routed from its natural path to an open channel section. Increased pollutants and sediments from an expansive developed area discharge into Bayou Texar causing a decrease of water quality there. This condition is also typical of other areas of the City.

Historically, tidal surges during severe storm events reduce discharge flows from outfall pipes by back-filling them with seawater and sediment at the discharge points. As the City is largely "built-out", the land available for stormwater treatment and storage facilities is diminishing while intense urban development is leading to increasing impervious area coverage and stormwater runoff volume.

The City of Pensacola has responded to the stormwater challenge and has already taken important steps to improve water quality. Another significant step is the implementation of a stormwater utility fee that will provide additional financial resources to address stormwater runoff problems.

Recent City Actions
The City has moved on several fronts within the last several years to address stormwater impacts. First, and foremost, improving stormwater management has been elevated to a priority concern by both the City Council and city staff. This reflected in both operational changes as well as reflected in the city's budget.

Education of citizens about their personal impact on stormwater, changing city field operating procedures, increasing land development code requirements, and addressing water quality in all city construction projects have been instituted for the protection and improvement of water quality.

Some of the more notable accomplishments include:

• Completion of stormwater management assessment for Carpenter's Creek/Bayou Texar that recommended future stormwater management improvements
• Publication of stormwater pollution prevention brochures
• Adoption of tree protection ordinance
• Incorporation of stormwater quality improvement component into East Hill paving project.
• Completion of a stormwater management financial plan that recommends providing additional revenue through creation of a stormwater utility fee to improve stormwater management in the city
• Issuance of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) that requires the city and the county monitor area water bodies for compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is stormwater runoff?
A. Stormwater runoff is rainwater that cannot be absorbed by the soil during a storm event.

Q. What is the purpose of the stormwater utility fee charge?
A. The fee will allow the city to use general fund revenues that were previously used for stormwater operating costs; to be dedicated for enhanced stormwater treatments and capital improvements.

Q. How are current stormwater programs funded?
A. Currently the City's Stormwater Program is funded through transfers from the General Fund. The proposed rate structure will clearly identify user charges for stormwater program elements and the stormwater utility fee will be based on runoff using the impervious area value that has been assigned to each parcel.

Q. What benefits will the program provide to property owners in Pensacola?
A. The Program will address both flooding problems and the water quality issues that can be improved through the maintenance and repair of the existing stormwater system. These activities will improve the drainage system's ability to function as it was originally designed during future storm events.

Q. Are there ways to reduce the fee?
A. Yes. Credits are available, in the form of bill reductions, for properties that have privately owned and maintained stormwater facilities. If you have an ownership interest in such a property, contact the City for additional information.

Q. Who will pay the stormwater utility fee?
A. The total cost of the utility fee will be distributed to the properties placing a burden on the City's stormwater system. The amount of burden is relative to the amount of runoff from the property, measured in terms of the impervious area found on the parcel. Impervious area includes the roof area, paved parking, driveways, and other similar "hard" surfaces.

Q. Does the utility fee apply to all property owners in the City of Pensacola?
A. The utility fee applies to all developed properties (over 100 sq. ft. of impervious surface) in the City's "stormwater service area". Properties in the stormwater service area are "hydrologically connected" to the City's stormwater system. This means that runoff from the property eventually enters a swale, catchbasin, or pipe that is maintained by the City or a water body that is monitored and /or treated by a program of the City.

This information is furnished by the City of Pensacola, Public Works Department, Stormwater Division