Dallas Water Utilities outlines floodplain rules, warns of rising costs for building in flood zones

Dallas Water Utilities delivered a briefing to the City of Dallas Housing and Homeless Solutions Committee on May 27 describing how the city regulates floodplains, the benefits to property owners of participation in federal programs and how aging, undersized storm infrastructure affects neighborhoods.

The presentation, led by Eduardo Valerio, assistant director of stormwater operations, covered floodplain definitions, permit types, engineering standards and the city's participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Community Rating System (CRS). Valerio said Dallas currently holds a CRS Class III rating, which produces a 35% reduction in flood insurance premiums for participating policyholders, and the utility is working to reach Class II, which would raise that discount to 40%.

The presentation explained why floodplain regulation matters: floodplains are low-lying areas adjacent to rivers and creeks intended to store floodwaters and reduce flood peaks, elevations and runoff velocities. Valerio said the city enforces a no-adverse-impact policy so new development must not increase flood risk upstream or downstream. "Flood is real,"…