Establishing a Stormwater Utility
Protecting Our Infrastructure. Preserving Our Environment.
Overview North Caldwell lies at a high point in the Passaic River watershed, which means stormwater runoff from our borough flows downhill, impacting both our infrastructure and that of surrounding downstream towns. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requires adherence to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program. This mandates towns to implement best management practices (BMPs), offer public education, and maintain stormwater systems—incurring significant and rising costs. A stormwater utility would create a dedicated funding mechanism to meet these requirements, protect our property and waterways, and improve flood resilience.
Demographic and Land Use Context North Caldwell is largely residential, with few commercial or industrial areas. While this reduces the risk of industrial pollution, the borough’s many impervious surfaces—driveways, rooftops, patios, etc.—significantly contribute to increased stormwater volume and non-point source pollution. Construction variances that expand impervious coverage exacerbate this problem, putting additional strain on our already aging infrastructure.
Challenges in Stormwater Management
Aging Infrastructure: Outdated systems lead to increased inefficiencies and higher repair costs.
Increased Runoff: Residential development heightens flooding risks to property and the environment.
Limited Funding: Stormwater management competes for funding with other municipal priorities. Utility fees collected by the Borough would be used exclusively to address stormwater management issues.
Regulatory Pressures: Meeting NJDEP and federal mandates requires consistent investments in compliance, education, and infrastructure.
Benefits of a Stormwater Utility
Dedicated Revenue: A stable funding source exclusively for stormwater management.
Fairness: Fees are determined by the impervious surface area, linking costs to runoff contribution.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Enables regular maintenance and long-term system improvements.
Regulatory Compliance: Mitigates legal and financial risks by fulfilling permit obligations.
Environmental Protection: Reduced runoff and pollution into local waterways, safeguarding public health and ecosystems.
Progress Already Underway:
The Borough has taken proactive steps toward establishing a stormwater utility. To date, the Mayor and Council have secured $47,000 in grant money from the NJDEP, to offset initial costs and advance key preparatory work. This includes completing detailed stormwater infrastructure mapping and identifying priority improvement projects—laying a strong foundation for effective long-term management and compliance.
Conclusion
Establishing a stormwater utility in North Caldwell is not only essential—it is strategic. It proactively earmarks funding to address long-term infrastructure stability, ensures regulatory compliance, and demonstrates a commitment to property and environmental stewardship. With dedicated resources, North Caldwell can lead the way in responsible, sustainable stormwater management.