Bangor outlines stormwater utility work to address seven impaired streams; funding comes from stormwater fee

City engineering staff described the stormwater utility budget to the Bangor City Council, saying the city is home to seven urban impaired streams and must invest in projects and monitoring to reduce polluted runoff.

The stormwater utility charges property owners a fee based on impervious surface to finance projects and operations; staff said the utility currently generates about $1.6 million per year. The operating budget supports a stormwater technician, half of an engineering position and a portion of billing staff time. Staff noted project work includes culvert repairs, rain gardens and other best-management practices to reduce runoff and salt and other pollutants reaching streams.

Staff said historically the city secured federal Section 319 EPA funds for many projects, but that projects required by the MS4 permit are less likely to qualify for those funds. Councilors asked about private-property challenges where the city would need access to reduce impervious cover — for example large parking lots downtown or at mall areas — and staff said working on privately owned properties requires negotiation and manpower.

Councilors also asked about fee increases and what balance the stormwater fund holds; staff said they would provide detail on balances and on where the stormwater work is concentrated. Staff said downtown, airport-mall areas and wide parking lots pose persistent stormwater-management challenges.

Next steps: staff will provide the stormwater fund balance and a more detailed list of planned projects and impaired-watershed priorities.