APPENDIX A

7. What is the Stormwater Financing Study?

The goal of the City’s Stormwater Financing Study (the Study) is to develop a balanced approach to funding stormwater management infrastructure through a review of the level of service and funding options.

Study objectives include:

• Understand existing stormwater program (including level of service) and compare it to similar municipalities (such as Mississauga and Vaughan)
• Understand future stormwater management infrastructure program needs and service levels
• Investigate and recommend a preferred alternative for funding the future stormwater management infrastructure program
• Develop a strategy to implement the preferred alternative

8. Why is the City undertaking the Study?

The City of Windsor is undertaking the Study to assess the current stormwater program and how it is funded, and explore alternative ways to pay for the City’s future stormwater management needs. The Study began in December 2018 and is expected to be completed by Summer 2020.

Stormwater needs continue to grow as the existing infrastructure ages, as new infrastructure is needed to handle development growth and changing storm events, and as water quality impacts continue. This Study will consider the existing and projected stormwater needs and costs and evaluate alternatives for paying for on-going investment in this critical program.

9. What are potential stormwater challenges facing Windsor?

Typical municipal stormwater problems include:

• Climate change is affecting the intensity and frequency of storm events that stormwater management programs must respond to.
• Urban growth and development alter the amount of runoff and pollution.
• Infrastructure such as pipes, culverts and outfalls have limited life expectancy.
• Stormwater facilities must be actively maintained throughout their expected life, including watercourses, storm sewers, catch basins, stormwater ponds, pump stations, culverts and outfalls.
• Appropriate resources, assets and improvement projects must be proactively planned to address needs and problems.
• Design standards have changed, and designs developed under old standards may be inadequate to meet regulatory requirements.
• Development plans must be thoroughly reviewed, and sites adequately inspected during construction to ensure the adequacy of design and construction.