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Flooding and Drainage
In the late 1990s, the city developed a Stormwater Masterplan to identify project-by-project stormwater needs. This report identified more than $300 million of necessary maintenance and capital improvement projects. In 2001, the city implemented a stormwater utility fee to generate the capital required to address drainage issues and improve overall water quality in Marion County. Projects in the plan are prioritized to address the worst problems first.
In neighborhoods that are converting from septic systems to sanitary sewers, the city will address incidental drainage needs at the same time and also will investigate other drainage concerns in the project area. When feasible, drainage improvements are included in Septic Tank Elimination Program (STEP) projects to reduce the cost of returning and installing them later, however, funding limitations and bond requirements dictate the project need and scope.
The city also is working to meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to improve the quality of stormwater discharged into our rivers and streams. Public outreach efforts are educating businesses, landowners and residents to minimize harm to the city's drainage system and waterways.
How does the city prevent potential flooding?
To help prevent potential flooding, the Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains facilities to help ensure safe and efficient control of storm and surface water within Marion County. Each year, DPW cleans and repairs approximately 4 million square feet of creek banks, levees, open channels, and detention areas. This maintenance requires the removal of large vegetation, downed trees, log jams and other debris. DPW also mows approximately 5,500 acres of levee banks to provide erosion control, performs floodgate maintenance and repair, and installs drainage pipes and other structures to help improve water flow.
If you would like more information, follow the links below:
Read about your stormwater drainage and water quality responsibilities as a homeowner.
In 2001, the City-County Council created the Marion County Stormwater Utility under City-County General Ordinance 43. This ordinance became effective on June 6th, 2001, and is used to finance the drainage and flood control projects.
View an introduction to the Marion County Stormwater Management District Master Plan.
Once a stormwater project has been brought to the attention of DPW, a representative of DPW will investigate that project to determine the Initial Priority Rating. The IPR is a weighted point system developed by the City of Indianapolis to give the most important problems, and the most severe cases, a higher priority.
View Frequently Asked Questions about the stormwater rate increase.
Read the stormwater rate brochure.
Read the Stormwater Credit Manual.
Review information provided at public information sessions about green stormwater management.
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