stormwater cost effectiveness 140604

Stormwater Cost-Effectiveness & The James

Adrienne KotulaJune 4, 2014

Protecting America’s Founding River

Five Core Programs:• James RIVERKEEPER® • Education• Outreach• Watershed Restoration• River Advocacy

Initial Estimates

Source: Virginia Senate Finance Committee, November 18, 2011

Cost-Effectiveness Study

• In-depth investigation of costs• Review all urban practices• Costs & Pollutant Removal• Case Study in City of Richmond

Methodology• 33 Chesapeake Bay Program Approved & Unapproved Practices

•Review Pollution Removal Efficiencies•Approved by Chesapeake Bay Program•If unapproved, relied on current research

•Considered 20-Year Life Cycle Costs including:•Design & Construction•Land Values & Financing•Operations & Maintenance

Most Cost-Effective Practices: Nitrogen

• Pet waste programs: $ 1.36/lb• IDDE /sewer repair: $ 8.73/lb• IDDE /cross connections: $ 13.51/lb• Forest buffers: $100.31/lb• Urban stream restoration: $226.67/lb

Most Cost-Effective Practices: Phosphorus

• Pet waste programs: $10.43 /lb• IDDE /sewer repair: $34.94 /lb• IDDE/cross connections: $54.05 /lb• Urban stream restoration: $666.69/lb• Forest buffers: $1,230.76/lb

Most Cost-Effective Practices:Total Suspended Solids

• Urban stream restoration: $0.83/lb• IDDE /sewer repair: $0.87/lb• Urban growth reduction: $2.64/lb• Retrofit of existing dry pond (conversion to wet

pond or wetland): $3.89/lb• Vegetated open channels

(A/B soils, no underdrain): $4.50/lb

Case Study• City of Richmond• Stormwater Permit Reductions Used• Local Data Used:

– GIS layers to determine BMP feasibility– Local BMP Constraints– Input locally derived costs, where available

Case StudyThree Scenarios Developed:

1. Old CBP Approved Practices, Limited Constraints

2. New CBP Approved Practices, City Constraints Used

3. All Practices, City Constraints Used

Key Findings

*Scenario 2 does not meet pollution reduction targets

Initial Estimates Scenario 1 Scenario 2* Scenario 3$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

$350

$305

$89 $68 $62

City of Richmond Stormwater Pollution Reduction Costs through 2025 (in millions)

Key Findings

• Continued Research on Practices is Vital:– New Urban Nutrient Management Standard

Approved– New Stream Restoration Standard Recommended– Currently Being Reviewed:

• Enhanced Erosion & Sediment Control• Shoreline Erosion• Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

Key Findings

• Additional BMP Benefits should be quantified– Public Health/ Safety– Public Education– Recreation– Neighborhood Beautification– Urban Heat Island – Carbon Footprint– Wildlife Habitat– Stream Habitat– Flood Control

Future Considerations

• Local Practice Inventories Needed• Sustainable Funding Sources• Capital Improvement Planning• Private Property Incentives

Adrienne Kotulaakotula@jrava.org(804) 788-8811 x206

Questions?