City of Bowling Green, Kentucky

Bowling Green has unique drainage challenges because of its karst landscape, which includes caves, sinkholes, and underground streams.
At the same time:

• The city has grown significantly
• More pavement creates more runoff
• Existing infrastructure is aging and undersized
• Storms are becoming more intense

A dedicated utility is needed to maintain and improve the system over time.

Most cities send stormwater to rivers or streams
In Bowling Green, much of the water flows underground into the karst system, and the area has very few surface streams.
That makes stormwater management more complex and limits where water can go during large storms.

The system:

• Collects rainwater runoff
• Moves it safely away from streets and property
• Reduces flooding
• Protects water quality

Stormwater management includes both:

• Quantity control (how much water flows)
• Quality control (what is in the water)

No. This is a fee for a service, similar to water or wastewater.
It pays specifically for stormwater infrastructure and services.

Stormwater utility funds are used only for:

• Maintenance and repair of drainage systems
• Replacement of aging infrastructure
• Flood reduction projects
• System inspections and mapping
• Water quality improvements

By ordinance, these funds can only be used for stormwater-related work.

$4 per month ($48 per year)
Non-residential properties are charged based on the amount of hard (impervious) surface they have.

Residential properties are billed using an average amount of impervious surface.
This keeps the system simple and avoids tracking small differences between individual homes.

Businesses often have larger roofs and parking lots, which create more runoff.
The fee is based on how much demand a property places on the system.

The fee is expected to begin in 2027 and will likely appear on an existing utility bill. Final billing details are still being finalized.

Yes.
The system must be maintained year-round so it works during storm events.

No system can eliminate all flooding.
Stormwater systems are designed for typical storm events. Larger storms can exceed system capacity, especially in areas influenced by karst features.
The utility will help reduce flooding over time through improvements and upgrades.

Stormwater infrastructure requires continuous investment.
A dedicated utility:

• Provides stable funding
• Allows long-term planning
• Ensures funds are used only for stormwater
• Ensure major users of the system are billed based on demand

No.
Karst features will continue to play a role, but the city is working to reduce reliance on them where they no longer function effectively during large storms.

Yes
New development must meet stormwater requirements that:

• Control runoff quantity
• Improve water quality
• Reduce impacts on surrounding properties

These requirements are part of the city’s stormwater management program.

As rainwater flows over surfaces, it picks up pollutants such as:

• Oil and grease
• Sediment
• Fertilizers and chemicals

These pollutants can impact streams, groundwater, and ecosystems if not properly managed.

There will be gradual increases over time, typically tied to inflation and system needs.

To build a reliable, modern drainage system that:

• Reduces flooding
• Protects property
• Improves water quality
• Supports continued growth