County Enacts Surface Water Rules

Warrick County, Ind., residents and builders will now have to comply with new rules to keep pollution out of surface waters.

In addition to the rules, property owners will soon be assessed a currently undetermined fee in addition to their property tax in an effort to fund the ordinances.

Warrick County Commissioner Don Williams told the Evansville Courier & Press that the new ordinances are designed to help the county comply with the state laws surrounding storm water systems. One of the laws requires local governments to separate sanitary and storm water sewer systems.

Three new ordinances were adopted. The first established a Storm Water Management Department that will be overseen by a four-member board, including the county surveyor and all three commissioners.

The second ordinance makes it illegal for property owners and residents to discharge pollutants into the county’s drainage and storm sewer system. The county has also been given authority to issue notices of violations and levy fines.

The last ordinance applies to storm water runoff and erosion control regulations at construction sites.

Source: Evansville Courier & Press