Waco staff propose updated street and stormwater standards; consultants estimate modest per‑lot cost increase offset by long‑term savings

City consultants and public works staff presented proposed updates to Waco's street and stormwater design standards in a Jan. 21 work session, saying the changes aim to reduce flooding, improve water quality and extend the service life of new streets. Jed Walker of Walker Partners and Interim Public Works Director Charles Leese summarized more than two years of technical work and stakeholder meetings with builders, engineers and trade groups.

Walker said the package raises stormwater design standards (city staff proposed moving design to a 25‑year storm) and tightens lot grading and detention rules intended to reduce sediment transport into the city's waterways. He said sediment was a leading pollutant and contributes to loss of lake storage. On…