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1. What is the purpose of the storm drain system?

Its purpose is to prevent flooding of streets and highways by quickly and efficiently
transferring rain water into ponds, creeks and eventually the South Platte River.

2. What's the difference between pouring water down the storm drain and discharing water down the toilet or sink?

The sanitary sewer (toilets and sinks) and storm drain system are two completely different systems. The water that goes down sinks or toilets in homes or businesses flows to the City of Brighton Wastewater Treatment Plant (if your property is located west of Tower Rd) or to the Town of Lochbuie Wastewater Treatment Plant (if your property is located east of Tower Rd). At the plant this wastewater is treated before it is released into the River. Water that flows down driveways and streets into a gutter goes into a storm drain that flows directly into a local pond, creek, or river. This water picks up pollutants along the way and does not receive any treatment to remove pollutants.

3. What can I discharge in the storm drain?

The City of Brighton ordinance prohibit anything other than uncontaminated rain
water from entering the storm drain system. Never pour anything into a gutter, street or
storm drain.

4. How do streets in Brighton drain?

The City of Brighton is contained within 2 watersheds. The division, or ridge, between these 2 watersheds is Tower Rd. The South Platte Watershed, which includes areas west from Tower Rd, drains towards the northwest and into the South Platte River. The Barr-Milton Watershed basin, which includes areas east from Tower Rd, drains towards the northeast.

5. Why would the Storm Drainage Charge apply to my property if there is not a

If your property is located within the City, storm runoff from your property is being managed by some or all of the storm water systems that are already in place. Storm inlets and ponds are designed and built in low areas. Just look around, or follow the flow along the curb and gutter. You will find a storm sewer inlet that’s servicing your area.

6. Are there any charges or fees associated with the storm drain system in Brighton?

There are Storm Drainage Connection Fee and the Storm Drainage Maintenance Fee.

The Storm Drainage Connection Fee is essentially a one-time fee that is assessed when a piece of property is first developed and is based on the type of usage planned for the property.

The City of Brighton Storm Drainage Maintenance Fee is a monthly fee paid by every owner of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional properties located within the City limits. This fee is calculated, billed and collected directly by the City of Brighton.

The South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District Storm Sewer Maintenance Charge is an annual fee paid only by owners of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional properties located within the District’s boundaries (areas east from Tower Rd) This fee is calculated, billed and collected directly by the District.

7. Why do I have to pay a monthly Storm Drainage Fee to the City of Brighton?

The revenue from the monthly Storm Drainage Fee is use for operation, maintenance, replacement, repairs and improvements of the public storm drain system located on the west side of Tower Rd, which includes pipelines that convey rainfall away from your property, as well as inlet boxes and outfalls in the regional ponds, creeks and river. This fee also supports environmental protection programs implemented city-wide and which are required to meet federal and state water quality permits for protection of local ponds, creeks and river; erosion control program; and Floodplain administration program.

8. What is South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District?

South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District is an entity responsible for the operation and maintenance of the storm drainage system in Bromley Park development, which includes all areas within the City of Brighton located east from Tower Rd.

9. How is South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District's billing process?

The District imposes a fee to offset the cost of maintenance. The fee is billed once a year, in May. The annual fee is about $53.00 per household. The bills are sent to residents and property owners in the South Beebe Draw Basin, including the Bromley Park development. The billing period runs from May 1st of each year through April 30th of the following year, so for example, fees paid for the bill sent in May 2008 will apply to the period from May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009.

10. I live on the east side of Tower Rd. Why am I being charged twice for storm sewer maintenance: one fee by the City; and another fee by Beebe Draw Metro District?

You are not getting charged twice. Funds from each fee are collected by 2 different entities to pay for different services.
1) A portion of the storm drainage fee is being utilized to staff and fund the City of Brighton’s Stormwater Program. The City, and not the District, is the entity being held responsible for stormwater quality permit requirements by the State of Colorado. The City has been issued a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit by the State. This permit requires implementation of a Stormwater Program. The purpose of the City's Stormwater Program is to coordinate city-wide the implementation and enforcement of the following six minimum control measures which are in place not only to protect the city's natural resources, ensure public safety, and continue to improve the quality of life of all residents, but also to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations.
2) The South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District was created to provide financing, construction, and maintenance of only certain public infrastructure with a defined boundary. Storm drainage improvements such as inlets, regional detention ponds and pipelines within the District’s boundaries are to be regularly maintained and when necessary replaced through the assessment of the District storm drainage fee.
3) Not all storm drainage structures and facilities, including trans-boundary flows and neighborhood detention basins which may be maintained by the homeowner associations, are covered by South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District services.
4) The City of Brighton, under the Federal Regulations governed by the Clean Water Act, and enforced by the State of Colorado is responsible for the oversight, enforcement, and maintenance of stormwater quality within the entire City boundary.
5) As part of the Municipal Stormwater Program, commonly referred to as the Phase 2, MS4 Program, the City must comply with a NPDES permit issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) or potentially be subject to levied fines up to $25,000 per day.
6) The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) does not recognize the Metropolitan District as an entity responsible for compliance under the Municipal Stormwater Program provisions of the Clean Water Act.
7) City enforcement of the provisions of the Phase 2, MS4 program also covers citywide post-construction inspections to ensure maintenance of all facilities, including facilities maintained by South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District.
8) City responsibility does not end at the boundaries of the District but also include the portions of the Beebe Draw Basin receiving the discharge of stormwater from the Metropolitan District facilities.
9) Prior to the separate listing of the Storm Drainage Maintenance Fee on the utility bill, the City’s Wastewater Fund was supporting the costs of the Phase 2 MS4 program with users fees for wastewater collection and treatment.
10) Increased costs of wastewater service and increased requirements from the State for compliance under our NPDES Permit supported the City Council decision to create a separate Storm Drainage Maintenance Fee and Stormwater Fund to account for expenses related to this unfunded Federal mandate.

11. How can I contact South Beebe Draw Metropolitan District?

If you have questions, please call the District’s Management Office at 303.381.4960 directly.

12. Who fixes clogged storm drains?

Report any clogged storm drains to the City of Brighton Stormwater Division at (303) 655-2121.The Stormwater Division will contact the responsible entity (HOA, CDOT, Beebe Draw Metro District, Commercial property manager, City of Brighton Maintenance Division, etc).