What is going on with the Chesapeake Bay and how does that impact the city?
Falls Church, like every jurisdiction in Virginia, is now facing a new state / federal mandate aimed at restoring the Chesapeake Bay called the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). A TMDL is also commonly referred to as a pollution diet. In this case, the Chesapeake Bay TMDL sets a limit on the amount of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment (measured in pounds) that enters our streams on an annual basis.

In 2012, the city was given numerical targets it must achieve by 2025 with specific milestones along the way. In order to comply with the Chesapeake Bay TMDL the city will need to build new water quality facilities, such as rain gardens, infiltration trenches, and underground storage with filters.

Redevelopment of private property will assist in reaching our goals, however, city staff estimates those efforts will constitute no more than 5% of the pollution that must be removed. The remaining 95% will need to be removed by the city on public property.

The Department of Public Works will look for ways to save in construction costs by combining stormwater capacity projects with quality facilities where feasible. City staff estimates compliance with the Chesapeake Bay TMDL will require $15 million in expenditures by 2025 for stormwater quality specific construction projects.

Show All Answers

1. What is the Stormwater Enterprise Fund?
2. How much is a stormwater utility fee going to cost me?
3. What is the effective date of the stormwater utility fee? When will the first bill go out?
4. What is the annual cost of the city’s Stormwater Management Program?
5. How is the stormwater management program currently funded and what is its annual budget?
6. What will the Stormwater Enterprise Fund pay for?
7. Who has to pay the fee?
8. Do other Virginia jurisdictions have a Stormwater Enterprise Fund?
9. What is the Watershed Management Plan?
10. What is the condition of the city’s stormwater system?
11. What is going on with the Chesapeake Bay and how does that impact the city?
12. Isn't stormwater already cleaned at the sewage treatment plant?