Advanced Tools and Techniques for Setting Stormwater Utility Fees
Publication: World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2024
ABSTRACT
Stormwater utility fees (SUFs) are a key funding mechanism on which local units of government rely for stormwater management. SUFs are calculated depending on the amount of land utilized for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. Accurately determining the impervious area of a parcel is crucial for setting fair and sustainable SUF rates. This study proposes an innovative approach using artificial intelligence (AI) to classify impervious areas from high-resolution imagery, overcoming the limitations of traditional land cover data. We present a user-friendly AI-based tool specifically designed for municipalities, providing detailed revenue generation statistics by jurisdiction. SUF rates are generated at the parcel level with the integration of accurate impervious surface data. This paper explores the mechanics of SUFs, rate structures, and considerations for establishing a stormwater utility. We showcase the proposed AI tool through a case study, demonstrating its application and providing a comprehensive understanding of the SUF process. This approach offers a valuable resource for engineers, planners, policymakers, and anyone interested in utilizing SUFs for effective stormwater management.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2024
Pages: 1400 - 1410
History
Published online: May 16, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Business management
- Case studies
- Computer programming
- Computing in civil engineering
- Engineering fundamentals
- Environmental engineering
- Fees
- Financial management
- Financing
- Government
- Infrastructure
- Lifeline systems
- Local government
- Methodology (by type)
- Organizations
- Practice and Profession
- Research methods (by type)
- Stormwater management
- Utilities
- Water treatment
Authors
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