About Stormwater
The City of Zanesville is located in the Muskingum watershed and lies at the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum rivers. All municipal piped systems, natural ditches, and surface and subsurface stormwater drains need to be managed for flooding and water quality activities. When properly protected and managed these interrelated systems can act to filter pollutants, assist in flood control, and protect wildlife.

“Manage stormwater in Zanesville in an efficient, effective and financially responsible manner.”

Major Responsibilities
The Stormwater Utility is responsible for maintenance, repair, and upgrades to the stormwater system. Many of these activities are mandated under the Federal EPA MS4 Program. The additional resources available to the city from the Stormwater Utility Fee will allow for improvements to the system which in the past were not possible due to fiscal constraints.

Proposed Services

• Stormwater Coordinator & Stormwater Inspector
• Stormwater Master Plan & GIS Inventory
• Alley, curb, and culvert maintenance & repair
• Preventative roadside ditch & catch basin maintenance
• Storm sewer lining
• New investment in stormwater capital improvements
• For more on responsibilities, projects & services see the FAQ

Standard Services Provided

• Street sweeping
• Roadside ditch repair
• Stormwater capital improvement projects

Impervious Area Map

The Impervious Area Map Application allows users to view the measured impervious surface throughout the city in their web browser. The map also allows users to print out custom areas of the map. Print maps can also be requested from the City Engineer’s office at the number below.

A modern mobile or desktop browser is required to view the application.

Stormwater Utility Frequently Asked Questions (In-Depth FAQ Document)

Why does Zanesville need a new Stormwater Fee?

The City of Zanesville Stormwater Utility will take a proactive approach in managing the city’s stormwater. Rather than raise income taxes or cut services, the proposed stormwater fee will cover the majority of the utility’s costs. This new approach will address and enforce the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) mandate referred to as the NPDES Phase II stormwater regulations, which are part of the Federal Clean Water Act passed by the US Congress in 1972. The funds will also be used to manage some stormwater flooding and drainage discharges, cover associated stormwater infrastructure costs, and finance capital improvement projects.

For background on the formation of the utility see the presentation below (PDF):

Stormwater Utility Presentation to the Public Service Committee

How does Zanesville currently pay for stormwater activities?

Stormwater services are currently funded from revenue derived from income taxes collected by the City general fund, revenue from the sanitary sewer fund and revenue from a temporary stormwater elimination surcharge fee that was approved by city council in 1987 that funds small capital projects in the areas of the city that require flood protection and water quality solutions. This fee will be rescinded and replaced with a new stormwater utility fee.

Who has to pay the stormwater fee?

All developed properties that contain impervious area will be charged a stormwater fee. Commercial properties are billed per ERU (2,300 sqft), while single-family residential properties, duplexes, some condominiums, and some agricultural land are billed at 1 ERU. Undeveloped lots will be excluded since there is no impervious area on those properties.

What types of projects and activities will be the responsibility of the new stormwater utility?

• Comply with the USEPA mandate referred to as the NPDES Phase II stormwater quality regulations (MS4 Program)
• Street sweeping
• Flooding and drainage maintenance
• Stormwater capital improvement projects
• Storm drain cleaning and repair
• Shoulder and ditch maintenance within the publicly owned right-of-way
• Public education and outreach
• Construction inspection
• Project design and management
• Inlet cleaning, repair, replacement
• Inlet clearing (stormwater hotspots) after every rain event and as needed
• Curb replacement and sealing
• Roadside ditch repair
• Bridge clearing
• Repair and/or replace catch basins
• GIS mapping

What is impervious area?

Impervious area is any hard-surface that does not allow stormwater to be absorbed into the ground. Impervious areas include rooftops, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, gravel surfaces, and many other hard areas.

What is an ERU?

ERU stands for “equivalent residential unit.” In Zanesville an ERU is equal to 2,300 square feet, which is the average impervious area of a random sampling of residential property within the city. For more information on the ERU calculations see the legislation and policy papers linked below.

Are there credits available to offset the ERU Fee?

Yes. Some impervious area credits are available. The maximum total credit cannot exceed 50% of the ERU Fee.

Click here for the Impervious Area Credit Application (PDF)

Legislation & Billing Policy Papers (Click Here)

External Resources

• Ohio EPA Rainwater and Land Development Manual
• Federal EPA NPDES Program

Contact Information

Chip Saunders, City Engineer
401 Market St.
City Hall – Second Floor – Room 222
Zanesville, OH 43701

Phone: 740-617-4910
Business Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed holidays)
Email: Online Form