Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs)

Because impervious surface results in runoff and increased water into the stormwater system, Greenwood’s stormwater rates are based on the amount of impervious surface area on each parcel. The Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) is defined as the approximate average impervious surface area on a residential property. The area of impervious surface on randomly selected residential properties was measured and it was determined that the ERU in Greenwood was 2,800 square feet. The ERU is considered the base billing unit and is used in the billing calculation for properties. The billing rate is currently $5.00 per ERU per month.

Above is a snapshot of a portion of the Greenwood Park Mall on the Commercial ERUs Map. As you can see, the calculation from Area (sqft) to ERU has already been calculated:

2,708,313.11 / 2,800.00 = 967.25 (rounded to 967)

967 X $5.00 = $4,835.00

Therefore, Simon Properties is responsible for paying $4,835.00/month (only for this one portion). This is one of our biggest, if not the biggest, account that we have due to the amount of impervious surface that resides here.

Because we receive so much from this property, we do put a lot of focus on improving it. This area sees a vary large amount pollution in trash, auto fluids, etc. We routinely have to hold creek clean ups here to improve the area for our citizens. In 2019, The City of Greenwood Stormwater Department partnered with the Greenwood Park Mall to create a two-stage ditch for a section of Pleasant Run Creek along Madison Avenue north of Fry Road. The improved stabilized banks will promote the storage of floodwaters, and will include native landscaping and buffers on the west side of the bank to prevent litter and debris from entering the waterway.

Budget

Greenwood’s stormwater user fees fund the cost of operations, maintenance, capital projects and planning for future expansion. All rates and fees collected for stormwater service are deposited into the City’s Stormwater Management Account. Disbursements from this account are authorized by the Board and the Common Council. Disbursements are used for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the stormwater management system and for reimbursement to the City for past and future stormwater maintenance and administration.

The Stormwater Utility’s 2020 Annual budget was approximately $4,600,000 and includes expenditures for stormwater infrastructure extensions and replacements, stormwater capital improvements, legal drain reconstruction, repairs and maintenance of the stormwater system, and public private partnership program contributions. The Department of Stormwater Management maintains membership in the Johnson County Partnership for Water Quality which allows Greenwood to participate in stormwater activities with other MS4s in the county.