Northfield Launches Stormwater Incentive Programs

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the old adage goes.

With that in mind, Northfield officials are looking to residents to help with a few ounces of prevention.

The city has launched two stormwater-incentive programs to help mitigate negative effects on the area’s water supply. The programs stem from a 2010 change to the city’s stormwater ordinance and last April the city council directed the Environmental Quality Commission to research and develop stormwater incentive programs.

Neither resulting program are new ideas to clean-water advocates, but residents who construct a rain garden or purchase a rain barrel this year could find a few more dollars in their pockets.

Rain garden cost-share program

Rain gardens provide a means to capture stormwater runoff and allow it to infiltrate into the soil rather than running off into the street where it is rapidly channeled to the Cannon River through the city’s storm sewer system.

Capturing and infiltrating rainwater from driveways, roofs, decks, and other hard surfaces helps to return the volume of runoff entering the river to pre-development conditions. Infiltration also helps to remove contaminants in the rainwater before it enters the river as groundwater.

This reimbursement program provides property owners with a 50-percent cost share up to a maximum reimbursement of $250 for rain garden plants, materials, and equipment rental, according to Dustin Demmer, a Minnesota GreenCorps member working with the city. For example, a property owner who spends $300 on a rain garden would receive a $150 reimbursement. A property owner who spends $600 would receive a $250 reimbursement. Reimbursements are paid as a credit to the property owner's utility bill.

Applications can be found at , the , the Cannon River Watershed Partnership and on the city's website. Applications are accepted through May 31. 

Brian Welch with the city’s stormwater department said applicants are encouraged to apply for the reimbursement before they start on the project so the city can assist and guide in the installation of the garden.

A rain garden workshop will be held 7-8:30 p.m. April 3 at for those interested in more information.

Rain barrel reimbursement program

The rain barrel rebate program encourages property owners to capture and reuse stormwater runoff by installing rain barrels.

Property owners who buy and install a rain barrel receive a $20 credit on their utility bill after sending in a completed rebate form along with a receipt of purchase and a staff visit to verify installation.

Groups like the Cannon River Watershed Partnership and Rice Soil and Water Conversation District have long been advocates for both programs.

Demmer said the city pushing its own incentive program isn’t viewed as competition to the other groups, but rather them all striving for the same end result—cleaner water.

“I like to think of it as each organization independently contributing to the same goal,” he said.

Rebate forms are available at , the , the Cannon River Watershed Partnership and on the city's website.

Where does the money come from?

Both programs are funded through the Stormwater Enterprise Fund. Welch said the money is coming from stormwater utility fees, which means everyone with a utility account is paying for the program.

“What we’ve done is reallocate a small amount of money to it for a pilot (program)," he said.

About $1,000 has been set aside for each program, Welch said. That means about four or five rain gardens—depending on the size of the reimbursements—could be funded this year. 

If there is a good response, Welch said the city council could be approached for additional funds and possibly have the programs moved to a line item on the budget for next year.

“We’ll see how it goes,” he said. “It’s open to evolution.”

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