Stormwater

The City of Austin adopted a Storm Water Utility Fee in 2003. Fee rates are based on the amount of run-off from the property. The more run-off, the greater the impact on surface waters. All property owners in the City are billed for stormwater. This includes all developed and undeveloped properties.

Storm water utility fees will be used on the following programs:

• Surface water management practices
• Detention basin construction and maintenance
• Storm sewer construction and maintenance
• Drainage systems maintenance and reconstruction
• Public education and outreach
• Ordinance implementation and enforcement
• Improvements to localized drainage problems

Storm Water Utility Fees as of November 1, 2022

 
The storm water utility fee will be billed on your monthly utility bill and is identified as a specific line item. The monthly fee will not apply to agricultural land without a residence, parks, gravel pits, railroads or City owned property. Credits will be provided to private property owners who own and maintain detention/retention ponds.

Additional information is available at the Engineering Department at 507-437-9950

During the construction process, soil is highly vulnerable to erosion by wind and water. Eroded soil endangers water resources by reducing water quality and aquatic habitat for fish and other desirable species. Eroded soil also necessitates repair of sewers and ditches and the dredging of our lakes. The purpose of City Code § 20.05 is to safeguard persons, protect property, and prevent damage to the environment in the City.

Construction activities which disturb less than one acre of land, that are not part of a larger plan of development or sale, are considered “small construction sites” and are required to have a City Permit.

City of Austin – Small Construction Sites Permit Application

City of Austin – Common Plan of Development or Sale

Construction activities which disturb more than one acre of land, or are part of a larger common plan of development or sale, require a NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit (MNR10001), Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Plan approved by the City. A Subdivision Registration Form is also required for projects that are part of a common plan of development or sale.

MPCA Construction Stormwater General Permit (MNR100001)

MPCA Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Guidance

MPCA Subdivision Registration Form

Other permits may be required for your project. Contact the Engineering Department at 507-437-9950

The City of Austin prohibits all non-stormwater discharges into the storm water system. These
prohibited discharges can be through illicit connections or illegal dumping. A range of potentially
polluting activities would include construction projects, hazardous material handling, gas and service
station operations, used oil, and pesticide disposal.

Illicit Discharge Storymap

The City of Austin has developed a Detection and Elimination Plan that includes the following:

• Respond to complaints or information relating to potential illicit discharges and illegal dumping
• Inspection program of the City storm sewer system
• Inspection of storm sewer outfalls
• Evaluation of available data on local receiving streams

To report suspected illicit discharges, contact the Engineering Department at 507-437-9950 or email: mrask@ci.austin.mn.us.

The City of Austin requests that property owners consider the impacts of grass clippings on the street and other paved areas. Grass clippings have the following impacts on our streams and lakes if they are allowed to enter the City storm sewer system. Keep Grass Clippings Off-Street and Other Paved Areas.

• Grass clippings contain phosphorus, the nutrient that turns lakes green with algae
• Grass clippings from actively growing lawns have 4 to 5 times more phosphorus
  content than fallen autumn tree leaves
• One bushel of fresh grass clippings can contain 0.1 lbs of phosphorus – enough to
  produce 30 to 50 pounds of algae growth if it finds its way to a lake or river
• When mowing, grass clippings should be directed away from the street, driveways,
  sidewalks, or other paved areas. Curbside storm sewers can transport grass
  clippings (along with other street debris and dirt) to near-by lakes, rivers and
  wetlands
• Grass clippings blown on the street, driveways, sidewalks or other paved areas
  during mowing should be swept up and returned to the lawn or composted

If you have any questions, please contact the Engineering Department at 507-437-9950

The City of Austin provides a drop-off location for the annual fall yard waste program. The City has established the Cook Farm as the city-wide disposal site at 27^th Avenue NW. This program is funded through the revenues generated by the lease at the Waste Transfer Station.

• The site will be open from late September through late November
• Open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk
• Drop-off is limited to the following yard waste:
  • Leaves
  • Grass
  • Flowers and plants from gardens
• Compost from previous years yard waste is also available to the public on a first come first serve basis

If you have any questions, please contact the Engineering Department at 507-437-9950

Austin’s Public Works Department has an Adopt-A-Drain program launched in 2019 to get citizens to “adopt” specific storm drains in the community to keep cleared of litter and debris. Volunteers pick a storm drain on a city map and fill out an Adopt-A-Drain application; then they are expected to routinely sweep their storm drain to keep it clear of leaves and other debris.

Adopt-A-Drain volunteers should keep track of the total debris collection from the drain and inform the City.  Those interested in adopting a City storm drain can view options on our website at:

Adopt-A-Drain Program Signup

If you have any questions, please contact the Engineering Department at 507-437-9950

The City of Austin conducts an annual Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) meeting that is open to the public each spring.  

• MS4 Part 2 Permit Application
• MS4 Permit TMDL Application

If you have any questions, please contact the Engineering Department at 507-437-9950