Stormwater Utility
About Stormwater
The Stormwater Utility operates through funding approved by voters in April 1993 and increased by voters in 2015. Funding sources primarily consist of monthly Stormwater Utility charges for all properties generally based on their impervious area. The Stormwater Utility was established to provide funding for the implementation of stormwater management projects and maintenance of existing storm water drainage facilities. In 2002, the Stormwater Utility began funding projects, education and outreach activities to address storm water quality and meet regulatory requirements.
Stormwater priorities include:
- Assure the movement of emergency vehicles during storm runoff events.
- Protect the public from rapidly flowing stormwater runoff or flash floods.
- Minimize losses and property damage resulting from uncontrolled stormwater runoff.
- Establish requirements for construction of stormwater management facilities in newly developed areas.
- Coordinate with all City departments to comply with the requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit.
The Columbia Stormwater Utility is divided into two divisions: Engineering and Stormwater Maintenance.
Stormwater engineering
Engineering is responsible for the design and construction of community-approved infrastructure projects in the Stormwater Utility Capital Improvements Program (CIP). This includes survey, design, right-of-way acquisition, contracting and construction inspection.
The Engineering Division is also responsible for implementing the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. As part of this effort, engineering staff perform stormwater outfall inspections, investigate reports of potential illicit discharges to the stormwater system, and respond to stormwater complaints.
Capital Improvement Plan projects
Additional resources
- Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for Wastewater & Stormwater
- Boone County/City of Columbia/MU Joint Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP)
- 2021 MS4 Annual Report Permit MO-0136557
- 2022 MS4 Annual Report Permit MO-0136557
- Stormwater Management and Water Quality Manual
- Critical Downstream Locations
- Street, Storm Drain & Sewer Specifications
- Best Management Practices (BMP) Inspection
- Value Rating for Water Quality BMP
- APWA/MARC Manual of Best Management Practices for Stormwater Quality
Stormwater maintenance
The Stormwater Utility maintains our stormwater infrastructure by ensuring pipes and inlets are cleared and properly catching and redirecting rainwater. Stormwater infrastructure is also used to reduce instances of flooding and preserve the quality of our streams.
Cleaning Crew
The Stormwater Utility’s cleaning crew is assigned to clean and clear storm drains and pipes across Columbia. Cleaning stormwater pipes involves using a jet to propel a cleaning nozzle that is attached to the end of a high-pressure hose through all the main underground pipes. This clears the lines of debris, such as leaves, trash and mud. If necessary, the lines are also cleared of roots by attaching a hydraulic root saw to the end of the jet hose.
Closed Circuit Television Inspection
The Stormwater Utility uses a state of the art closed-circuit television (CCTV) system to internally inspect storm drains and line connections. This system consists of a color camera with a pan and tilt head, which can turn 90 degrees in any direction and is self-propelled through pipes. The camera transmits a picture to a monitor and video recorder located inside a van. Using this system, problems can be located and identified quickly, without excavation, so that proper corrective actions can be taken.
Repair Crews
The repair crew is responsible for system repairs. Following a storm, the repair crew will visit locations previously identified with obstructions to ensure the infrastructure in the area is functioning properly. They will also investigate when a Columbia resident reports a stormwater concern. This crew repairs stormwater lines that have been determined to be in poor condition by TV inspection that was done following a heavy rain event or because of a problem suspected during routine cleaning.
MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) projects & programs
Boone County, City of Columbia and the University of Missouri are co-permittees under a Phase II MS4 Permit issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The MS4 program has six elements termed “minimum control measures” which when implemented should result in a significant reduction in pollutants discharged into receiving waters. The six minimum control measures are outlined below.
- Public Education and Outreach
Distribute educational materials and conduct outreach to inform citizens about the impacts that stormwater runoff has on water quality. - Public Participation/Involvement
Provide opportunities for citizens to participate in the stormwater management program or other programs which improve water quality. - Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Develop and implement a plan to detect and eliminate non-stormwater discharges into the stormwater system. - Construction Site Runoff Control
Develop, implement and enforce an erosion and sediment control program for construction site activities that disturb one acre or greater. - Post-Construction Runoff Control
Develop, implement and enforce a program to address discharges of post-construction stormwater runoff from new development or redevelopment areas. - Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
Develop and implement a program that reduces or prevents pollutant runoff from municipal operations
Program documents
- Revised Stormwater Management Plan
- Annual Reports
- MS4 Outfall Map for the City of Columbia
- Columbia Stormwater Outreach & Education Program
Additional resources
Contacts
Search:
Phone: 573.499.4653
Public Health & Human Services
Phone: 573.817.6441
Alternate Phone: 573.874.7781
Fax: 573.874.7756
Email: Health@CoMo.gov
Address:
1005 W. Worley St
Columbia, Missouri 65203
Title: Mayor
Term Expires: April 2025
Phone: 573.874.7222
Email: Mayor@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 1 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2026
Phone: 573.864.4978
Email: Ward1@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 2 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2024
Phone: 573.823.2274
Email: Ward2@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 3 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2025
Phone: 573.864.4976
Email: Ward3@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 4 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2025
Phone: 573.999.0897
Email: Ward4@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 5 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2026
Phone: 573.864.4972
Email: Ward5@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Title: Ward 6 Council Member
Term Expires: April 2024
Phone: 573.864.4971
Email: Ward6@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Missouri
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65205
Address:
600 Big Bear Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65202
Address:
2300 E. Walnut Street
Columbia, MO
Address:
100 N Old 63
Address:
N William St
Columbia, MO
Address:
1905 Hillcrest Dr.
Parks and Recreation Department General Office (aka Gentry Building)
Phone: 573.874.7460
Fax: 573.874.7640
Email: ParksAndRec@CoMo.gov
Address:
1 South 7th Street
P. O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Phone: 573.817.5024
Fax: 573.442.8828
Email: HumanRights@CoMo.gov
Address:
701 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Address:
2900 East Nifong Boulevard
Columbia, MO 65201
Title: Constituent Services and Legislative Affairs Administrator
Phone: 573.874.7646
Email: Stacey.Weidemann@CoMo.gov
Address:
902 Range Line St.
Phone: 573.817.5015
Address:
5001 E Meyer Industrial Drive, Columbia, MO 65203
Address:
1201 Paquin St.
Phone: 573.874.7378
Fax: 573.874.7761
Email: Business.license@CoMo.Gov
Address:
PO Box 6015, Columbia, MO, 65205
Address:
2002 Grindstone Pkwy.
Stephens Lake Beach (Unguarded) and Spraygrounds
Address:
100 Old 63 N.
Molly Thomas Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center
Address:
1204 International Drive,
Columbia, MO 65202
Phone: 573.449.1888
Phone: 573.874.2489
Alternate Phone: 573.441.5574
Email: Info@CoMo.gov
Address:
300 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
Title: Parks and Recreation
Phone: 573.874.7460
Email: ParksandRec@CoMo.gov
Address:
1 South 7th Street
P. O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Title: Assistant City Manager
Phone: 573.874.2489
Email: Carol.Rhodes@CoMo.gov
Address:
City Hall, Second Floor
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65203
Phone: 573.817.5024
Email: DisabilityServices@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Law Department
ADA Coordinator
701 East Broadway, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Title: IT Director
Phone: 573.874.7500
Email: Cityit1@CoMo.gov
Address:
701 E Broadway
Columbia, Missouri 65201
Address:
1900 Blue Ridge Road
Phone: 573.875.8477
Phone: 573.874.6338
Email: Cmo@CoMo.gov
Address:
City Hall, Second Floor
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri 65205
Prevention, Disease Intervention & Case Management
Phone: 573.874.7408
Alternate Phone: 833.402.1458
Email: SexualHealth@CoMo.gov
Title: Assistant Chief, Investigative Operations Support
Email: Lance.Bolinger@CoMo.gov
Phone: 573.874.7491
Phone: 573.874.7391
Alternate Phone: 573.874.7450
Fax: 573.874.7446
Email: Fire@CoMo.gov
Address:
201 Orr St
Columbia, MO 65201
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Phone: 573.874.2489
Email: Cc_forms@CoMo.gov
Address:
1313 Lakeview
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 573.874.7223
Fax: 573.442.8828
Address:
701 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Phone: 573.874.7230
Fax: 573.874.7531
Email: MunicipalCourt@CoMo.gov
Address:
600 E. Broadway
Columbia, MO 65203
Office of Neighborhood Services
Phone: 573.817.5050
Alternate Phone: 573.874.7339
Email: Neighborhood@CoMo.gov
Address:
701 Broadway
Columbia, MO, 65201
Title: Senior Administrative Supervisor (Administration)
Phone: 573.874.7347
Email: Dana.Vaughn@CoMo.gov
Capen Park Yard Waste Drop-off Center
Phone: 573.874.2489
Address:
1600 Capen Park Dr, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 573.874.2489
Address:
400 N Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: 573.874.7380
Email: UCS@CoMo.gov
Address:
City of Columbia, Utility Customer Service, PO Box 6015, Columbia, MO, 65205
Phone: 573.874.7499
Fax: 573.874.7546
Email: Volunteer@CoMo.gov
Address:
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Title: Railroad Operations
Phone: 573.441.5564
Alternate Phone: 573.864.2171
Email: Matthew.Sabath@CoMo.gov
Title: City Manager
Phone: 573.874.2489
Email: Cmo@CoMo.gov
Address:
City Hall, Second Floor
701 E Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, Missouri, 65203
Address:
400 N. Providence Rd.
Phone: 573.874.7229
Fax: 573.874.7533
Email: CityProsecutor@CoMo.gov
Address:
600 E. Broadway
P. O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205-6015
Title: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Administrator, LGBTQ+ Liaison
Phone: 573.289.5975
Email: D'andre.thompson@CoMo.gov
Gans Creek Cross Country Course
Address:
3350 E. Gans Road
Title: Entrepreneurship Coordinator
Phone: 573.441.5546
Alternate Phone: 573.268.5596
Email: Jay.Sparks@CoMo.gov
Phone: 573.874.2489
Email: Cc_forms@CoMo.gov
Address:
701 E. Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
Convention & Visitors Bureau – Special Events
Phone: 573.817.5052
Email: Specialevents@CoMo.gov
Address:
300 S. Providence Road, Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: 573.874.7376
Phone: 573.874.7491
Address:
1615 Business Loop 70 W
Columbia, MO 65202
Address:
3350 Waco Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
Address:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Battle Garden
800 W. Stadium Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65203
Address:
Grissum Building, 1313 Lakeview Ave.
Address:
2104 Hillcrest Drive
Press Releases
3/18/2024 – City of Columbia Utilities to resume utility disconnects
2/26/2024 – City of Columbia Water & Light earns Water Fluoridation Quality Award
2/23/2024 – City of Columbia to resume residential curbside recycling collection March 18
2/23/2024 – Road closure scheduled on Garth Avenue beginning Feb. 26
2/19/2024 – Road closure scheduled on Poplar Street beginning Feb. 20