Castle Rock Water proposes $1,500 fee for curbside 'chase drains'; staff seeks council awareness, not a vote

Castle Rock Water staff briefed council on the town’s chase‑drain program — shallow sidewalk drains installed to manage excessive dry‑weather groundwater flow — and proposed a policy change that would charge homeowners a $1,500 fee for expedited installation while the town would continue to cover the balance of the estimated $4,500 installation cost.

Mark Marlowe, Castle Rock Water, told council chase drains were created as a customer‑service tool in 2008 to address perched groundwater, overwatering and some leaks; they are not reliable for ice and snow removal because the metal drain body can freeze and become blocked. Under the current policy the town monitors problem locations for a year and installs drains at public works’ schedule if conditions meet the program criteria; historically only about 12% (72 of 582 requests) were approved and the town’s annual cost averaged $20,000–$30,000.

The proposed change — endorsed by staff and discussed with the Castle Rock Water Commission — would preserve the town’s inspection, leak‑detection and education steps but allow homeowners who do not want to wait for the town’s annual installation to pay $1,500 and sign a maintenance agreement; public works would still install drains in the late summer/fall. Staff noted the Water Commission suggested charging more in line with other municipalities, but staff recommended $1,500 to balance cost‑recovery and public access.

Council members asked about expectations: staff said the fee is intended to ensure commitment and to require homeowners to take on maintenance for drains that sit in sidewalks. Council members and staff highlighted situations — north‑facing yards and freeze‑thaw slopes — where chase drains are unlikely to solve winter ice and emphasized that roads crews remain available to chip ice after it forms.

No formal council vote was requested; staff asked only to inform council as the policy change moves toward final recommendation. Staff will continue quarterly inspections for monitoring and will allow homeowners to hire contractors and install drains themselves if they prefer. The change would reduce administrative monitoring workload and charge a modest up‑front fee to homeowners who want immediate work rather than waiting for the town program’s timeline.

Ending: Town staff said they would return with formal policy language and fee schedule for final adoption; council members urged careful resident education to avoid situations where homeowners pay and later find their drain ineffective for winter ice.