Mayor John Hamilton

Page last updated on March 24, 2023 at 11:28 am

 

 

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Many property challenges start with stormwater quality and quantity issues; below are a few opportunities that can help.

In this section, you will find information on:

 

  1. Residential Stormwater Grants 2023
  2. Site Visits and Resources
  3. Stormwater Education Series

 

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RSG Yard Sign
Yard Sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This partnership with property owners increases our resilience by adapting to the real effects of climate change. Together we can work to control flooding, protect our waterways, and mitigate future damage in environmentally responsible ways,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “Through this program, residents and CBU can together reduce our collective climate impact and strengthen our resilience.” 

 

 

1. RESIDENTIAL STORMWATER GRANTS 2023

You may begin the process of applying for a Residential Stormwater Grant 2023.  Additional information will be forthcoming as the program evolves.  In the meantime, we encourage you to start educating yourself on the resources - links, videos and more - below.  Contact us for more information.

 

Qualifications

  • Single-family, owner-occupied homes on private residential property.
  • Those who pay the City of Bloomington's stormwater fee (to check, see your water bill).

 

Related information

Residential Stormwater Grants 2023 Press Release

Residential Stormwater Grants 2023 Flyer

Residential Stormwater Grants Brochure

Residential Stormwater Grants 2023 FAQs General

 

Please follow the procedures listed, below.

1)  Confer - Contact us about your project. We would like to brainstorm with you regarding your ideas. Contact:  Kriste Lindberg, Stormwater Education Specialist, stormwater@bloomington.in.gov, (812) 349-3617.

We also suggest that you read the information listed under "Resources" and "3. Stormwater Education Series," below, for information that will be helpful for you in making decisions.

Note:  As stormwater tends to be connected on large scales, make sure you collaborate with your neighbors (it's also just a neighborly thing to do!). You can submit on the same Application if your properties are contiguous.  Please designate one point of contact and include all names/addresses in your Application.  Projects containing "greener" stormwater solutions and residing in lower income areas tend to be viewed more favorably.

 

2)  Public Information Meeting (optional and recommended) -  A Public Information Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 5:30 - 7 p.m., City of Bloomington Utilities Service Center, 600 E. Miller Drive, Bloomington, Indiana 47401.  The Powerpoint presentation and recorded meet links are, below:

 

3)  Guidelines (TBA) - Read the Guidelines; they will help you with everything from next steps to project ideas and maintenance suggestions.  As mentioned previously, the "Resources" and "3. Homeowner Education Series" sections, below, also provide helpful information on understanding stormwater and practices that can help with drainage such as rain gardens, bioswales, dry creek beds, native plants, and more.

Here is a sample Grant Agreement (TBA); you (and your neighbors, if applicable) will be expected to sign a similar document if you are awarded a grant.  

 

4)  Contractor - Find a contractor (we suggest getting at least three opinions but choosing only one and one solution). You are welcome to use any contractor you wish.  Note:  Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects are also allowed.

Residential Stormwater Grants 2023 FAQs Contractor (TBA)

Make sure you obtain an Estimate, at least as close as possible, as it will be needed to complete your Application, see below; in addition, make sure the document does not include tax (CBU is tax exempt).

Be mindful of regulations in relation to property lines, permits, easements, rights-of-way, alleys, conservancies, and so on as you and your Contractor are responsible for taking them into account (you may need to have a professional survey done; if so, the grant, if awarded, will cover the costs).

Below is a list of suggested questions to ask a contractor while making your selection:

  • Do they work on small projects (most tend to be between about $2,000 and $7,000, depending on the situation and proposed solution)?
  • Are they licensed, bonded and insured?
  • Do they have drainage experience and, if so, what is it?
  • Are they familiar with native plants and invasive plants?*
  • Will they provide you with plans (a sketch), including maps, as well as an itemization?  Be mindful of materials (for example, biodegradeable erosion control netting is preferred over that which is not),
  • Will they give you examples of projects they have completed?
  • Will they offer you their references?
  • Will they warranty their work?

 

* A note about plants: Something to keep in mind regarding plants for your project... As of April 18, 2020, the Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule (312 IAC 18-3-25) went into effect. There are 44 plants on the regulated list. They tend to be invasive and some actually harm water quality. For example, bush honeysuckles even exude chemicals that keep other plants from growing nearby, hence encouraging runoff and soil loss. Therefore, it is now illegal to sell, gift, barter, exchange, distribute, transport, or introduce them without a permit. Native plants are a better choice as they are adapted to local climates, support pollinators, and generally have longer roots to hold soil in place.

Regarding invasive and native plants Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species (MC-IRIS) has a great deal of related information, including information for landowners.

 

5)  Application - Submit an Application.  Fill it out given your current drainage situation.  Please be as clear and concise as possible and choose only one solution (do not submit multiple options). The link will also ask for additional information including the following:

  • A clear and concise definition of your preferred project (remember, choose just one).
  • Project sketch (even if just "by hand").  Be sure to include the direction North at the top, features, direction of flow, and anything else helpful to visualize your concept.  Note:  Please coordinate the definition of your preferred project with the sketch, you may even wish to number the items.  
  • Estimate from contractor, including an itemization (even if just a "ballpark" figure).
  • Photos in JPG format (a long shot and those that show a bit more detail, as necessary).
  • Any other information that would be helpful.

 

6)  After submitting - You will receive a confirmation that your Application was received and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible with an update on the process.  All Applications will be reviewed by a Review Committee.  Projects containing "greener" stormwater solutions, improving larger areas (contiguous residential properties), and residing in lower income areas tend to be viewed more favorably.

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AWARD

 

The Residential Stormwater Grants (RSG) program received an Education and Outreach award from the Indiana Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management during the Fall 2021 Annual Conference.

 

INAFSM Award

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TESTIMONIALS

 

- 1700 S. Clifton Ave. Project

 

Through its Residential Stormwater Grant program, the City of Bloomington works with homeowners to improve drainage and erosion issues on their property in green and sustainable ways. In this example, the homeowner had an issue with stormwater flooding and stagnating in their backyard. Thanks to a grant and planning assistance from the city, a contractor was able to design and build a system to channel the stormwater through a bed of water-loving native plants to absorb and clean the water before discharging it to the city stormwater system.

The homeowner first read about the Residential Stormwater Grant program in the local newspaper. After submitting an application and proposal, CBU Environmental staff replied with several ideas on ways to incorporate green design and native species. The contractor revised the design to build “up” with a berm instead of digging down to form a dry creek bed, and several trees were saved by preserving their root structure.

From first proposal to planting of native plants in the spring, the entire process took about one year, including the revision process.

“The CBU staff were really helpful,” said the homeowner in a follow-up interview. “I’m just really pleased with how it turned out."

Thank you and take good care!

 

RSG 2020 Clifton

A dry creek bed in progress (native plants have been added since the photo was taken)
Credit:  Residential Stormwater Grants 2020, CBU Staff

 

- 830 W. 4th St. Project

 

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2. NEIGHBORHOOD VISITS AND RESOURCES

Presentations for and visits to neighborhoods

 

The City of Bloomington Utilities offers a number of ways to work with stormwater.  We are in the process of bringing back and updating our neighborhood visits program for the first time since the pandemic began.  The effort will include presentations for and visits to neighborhoods.  In the meantime, grants are available (see, "1.  Residential Stormwater Grants" (above).  Please watch this site for more information, it will be updated as the initiative evolves.

The intent is to improve the quality and quantity of stormwater while sustainably managing drainage and erosion concerns.

 

A rain garden in front of a residence.

Credit: Tenth Acre Farm

 

Example projects include those for green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, vegetated buffer strips and swales, culvert replacements, and more.

Please contact us at stormwater@bloomington.in.gov if you would like more information.

Interested in neighborhood improvement, in general?  Check out the City of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development website.

 

Resources

 

Stormwater Fun Fact (thanks to local researchers):  Cicada holes and (storm)water infiltration. 

 

A note about plants: Something to keep in mind regarding plants for your project... As of April 18, 2020, the Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule(312 IAC 18-3-25) went into effect. There are 44 plants on the regulated list. They tend to be invasive and some actually harm water quality. For example, bush honeysuckles even exude chemicals that keep other plants from growing nearby, hence encouraging runoff and soil loss. Therefore, it is now illegal to sell, gift, barter, exchange, distribute, transport, or introduce them without a permit. Native plants are a better choice as they are adapted to local climates, support pollinators, and generally have longer roots to hold soil in place.

 

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3. STORMWATER EDUCATION SERIES

We hear you!  An educational series, bringing together expertise from various departments and community organizations, is in the works for residents, homeowners, neighborhood associations, and homeowner associations based upon observations derived by stormwater concerns expressed through the Residential Stormwater Grants program and more.  The program includes expertise from related City departments and community organizations in a "one-stop-shopping" format.  Our intent is to provide proactive, positive and productive education on stormwater to limit its negative impacts on land and the built environment (of particular importance as our climate changes) to help with quality of life aspects. 

The evolving series consists of short videos, presentations, links to related resources, and more.

 

Topics include:

  • A definition of stormwater in context to Bloomington and the surrounding area
  • Our changing climate and its impact on stormwater (and your property)
  • Adapting to the challenges
  • Local soils in relation to the built environment
  • Landscaping techniques to prevent erosion and preserve soil (and benefit structures)
  • Stormwater practices that help with drainage concerns
  • Connecting parcels and working at a watershed level
  • Maintenance of stormwater features, including rain gardens, swales, dry creek beds, ponds, etc.
  • Public/private and green/gray infrastructure interfaces
  • Working together for mutual benefit
  • Available grants and other City-related endeavors that coordinate nicely with the Residential Stormwater Grants program
  • Good examples
  • Other steps communities can take to help with stormwater quality and quantity concerns
  • Possibilities
  • Resources
  • More!

 

Background education titles include (slideshow):

  1. Watersheds and Weather

 

"One-Minute" Stormwater Education Video Series:

 

Cracks in clay soil due to excessive dryness
Cracks in clay soil due to excessive dryness

 

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Back to the Stormwater home page

To report a stormwater concern, use the uReport website  (Video:  How to fill out a stormwater-related uReport - 0m:47s)

For more information on stormwater, in general, please visit our Stormwater Education page

For information on adopting a storm drain, please visit our Adopt-a-Drain page