STORMWATER
Engineering > Stormwater
Engineering > Stormwater
The City of Wisconsin Rapids is dedicated to sustaining the water quality that we have come to enjoy through the years. In support of this initiative, we are a founding members of the North Central Wisconsin Stormwater Coalition. As part of the coalition, we are dedicated to educating our citizens as to the city's ordinances, ways everybody can help and fun ways to get children involved.
City Ordinances
Ways that everyone can help
UW-Extension Resources
Basement Storm Water Backups
Storm Water System
Storm water sewer systems are designed to collect rainfall and excess water using the street's curb & gutter, where catch basins collect the water and send it to the storm water pipe beneath the street. The system also includes storm water leads that extend from houses or buildings located in high groundwater areas. The storm water leads collect excess rainfall and groundwater that reaches the building's foundation and sends the excess water to the storm sewer main.
Basement backups may occur during storm water events because some storm sewer leads and basements are directly connected without backflow prevention mechanisms in place. In addition, many homes do not have foundation drainage systems that adequately protect the property from these storm events.
Storm Water Options
City Ordinances
- Chapter 32 - Construction Site Erosion
- Chapter 33 - Stormwater Management Utility
- Chapter 34 - Illicit Stormwater Discharge
- Chapter 35 - Post-construction Stormwater Management Zoning
Ways that everyone can help
UW-Extension Resources
- Lawn Watering
- Lawn Weed Control
- Lawn & Garden Pesticides
- Lawn & Garden Fertilizers
- Managing Leaves and Yard Clippings
- Pet Waste and Water Quality
- Rain Garden Manual
- Cleaning up Stormwater Runoff
- Additional information for businesses
Basement Storm Water Backups
Storm Water System
Storm water sewer systems are designed to collect rainfall and excess water using the street's curb & gutter, where catch basins collect the water and send it to the storm water pipe beneath the street. The system also includes storm water leads that extend from houses or buildings located in high groundwater areas. The storm water leads collect excess rainfall and groundwater that reaches the building's foundation and sends the excess water to the storm sewer main.
Basement backups may occur during storm water events because some storm sewer leads and basements are directly connected without backflow prevention mechanisms in place. In addition, many homes do not have foundation drainage systems that adequately protect the property from these storm events.
Storm Water Options
Storm Lateral
There are a few options available for homeowners to reduce the chance of storm water backups into the basement. Below is a list of options that are available:
Reducing Flood Risks at Home.mov
Storm Water Management Utility Storm water Utility charges in the City of Wisconsin Rapids are based on the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). An ERU is the average horizontal impervious area of all single-family residential parcels within the City of Wisconsin Rapids, determined to be 2,620 square feet. Single-family residential parcels are charged the value of one ERU annually for City expenses for managing stormwater runoff. Multi-family residential parcels are assigned a fraction of an ERU annually, per living unit. Non-residential parcel charges are based on directly measured impervious area; base parcel charges (without credits or adjustments) are determined by multiplying the number of ERUs assigned to each parcel by the ERU fee.
2023 storm water fee is $45.00 per ERU per year. The fee is charged monthly by Water Works and Lighting Commission (WWLC).
Examples:
1) Single Family Residence
$45.00 per year
$3.75 per month
2) Multi-Family having 10 units
10 units * (0.65 ERU/unit) = 6.5 ERU
6.5 ERU * $45.00 per year = $292.50 per year
3) Commercial Property with 40,000 sf. of impervious area
40,000 sf. / 2620 sf. = 15.267 units
15.267 units * $45.00 per year = $687.02 per year
The revenue collected by the storm water utility is used for City storm water management, including maintenance and operational costs, as well as complying with DNR storm water treatment and discharge regulations.
Fun links for kids
Report storm water incidents/spills/concerns
Additional Information
There are a few options available for homeowners to reduce the chance of storm water backups into the basement. Below is a list of options that are available:
- Sump pit - Recommended
- "Clean Check Inc."
- Back water valve in floor drain
- Flood-Guard float check valve
Reducing Flood Risks at Home.mov
Storm Water Management Utility Storm water Utility charges in the City of Wisconsin Rapids are based on the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). An ERU is the average horizontal impervious area of all single-family residential parcels within the City of Wisconsin Rapids, determined to be 2,620 square feet. Single-family residential parcels are charged the value of one ERU annually for City expenses for managing stormwater runoff. Multi-family residential parcels are assigned a fraction of an ERU annually, per living unit. Non-residential parcel charges are based on directly measured impervious area; base parcel charges (without credits or adjustments) are determined by multiplying the number of ERUs assigned to each parcel by the ERU fee.
2023 storm water fee is $45.00 per ERU per year. The fee is charged monthly by Water Works and Lighting Commission (WWLC).
Examples:
1) Single Family Residence
$45.00 per year
$3.75 per month
2) Multi-Family having 10 units
10 units * (0.65 ERU/unit) = 6.5 ERU
6.5 ERU * $45.00 per year = $292.50 per year
3) Commercial Property with 40,000 sf. of impervious area
40,000 sf. / 2620 sf. = 15.267 units
15.267 units * $45.00 per year = $687.02 per year
The revenue collected by the storm water utility is used for City storm water management, including maintenance and operational costs, as well as complying with DNR storm water treatment and discharge regulations.
Fun links for kids
- The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) website to help educate children
- Articles and activities for middle school students provided by the EPA
- Dumptown interactive game
- U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Water Science for Schools
- Information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' (WDNR) Environmental Education for Kids
Report storm water incidents/spills/concerns
Additional Information
- Private Storm Water Maintenance Agreement (editable in Adobe Reader)
- Land Disturbing Permit (editable in Adobe Reader)
- Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Annual Report
