Storm sewer repair needs estimated at $5-$10 million

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Hudson City Council members have expressed concern about a proposed stormwater utility outliving its usefulness.

But that wouldn’t happen anytime soon, a report from Public Works Director Tom Zeuli and consulting engineer Dennis Postler indicates.

They gave the City Council a “ballpark estimate” of $5 million to $10 million on the cost of bringing the city’s storm sewers and retention ponds into good repair.

The proposed stormwater utility would raise an estimated $310,000 annually to maintain and repair the city’s storm sewer system.

The written report to the City Council dated Feb. 27 said an estimated 50 to 80 percent of the storm sewers in the older parts of Hudson are in need of total reconstruction.

Postler told the council that was Zeuli’s estimate. He said he would put the figure at a more conservative 25 percent.

According to the report, 20 percent of the storm sewers that are 15 to 20 years old need repairs or partial reconstruction.

It says the Coulee Road storm sewer from Second Street to the St. Croix River should be inspected using a video camera as soon as possible.

“All of the storm water retention ponds are in need of general maintenance, with some that are in need of dredging, washout repairs and tree and brush removal,” the report said. “Recent pond failures have resulted in costly and larger repairs (Chestnut Drive, Grandview Park and Heggen Street).

The report says the Public Works Department doesn’t have the budget or staff to keep up with needed maintenance and repairs to the storm water system.

The council is considering charging homeowners a $7.50 quarterly fee for storm sewer maintenance. Multi-family and most non-residential properties would be charged more, based on the amount of impervious surface area they have.

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