Active Updated

stormwater management

Planning how to capture, clean, and reduce runoff from rain and snow.

What to Watch
Watch for any meeting where the stormwater utility item shifts from “updates” to a specific vote that would change fees, credits, billing, or project priorities.
Coming Up

Typically discussed at Public Utilities Committee. Check back when the next agenda is published.

The Story

Two Rivers has been running stormwater through two tracks: a “stormwater utility” update item and required state stormwater reporting. The most concrete recent item is the 2025 annual state stormwater report, which was set up for review and acknowledgment.

Key Decisions
  1. passed Public Utilities Committee · Mar 2, 2026

    Annual MS4 Repot - Overview

    Motion to authorize Director Heckenlaible to sign the 2025 MS4 Annual Stormwater Report and submit it to the WDNR by the end of March 2026

  2. passed 6-0 Plan Commission · Dec 8, 2025

    Request for a Conditional Use Permit for the operation of self-storage units, located at Columbus Street, Parcel No. 202-201-010-9, in Industrial District I-2, submitted by Brian Backler

    Motion made to recommend approval of the CUP to the City Council.

    Rick Inman Yes
    Kay Koach Yes
    Kristin Lee Yes
    Matt Heckenlaible Yes
    Pat Klein Yes
    Adam Wachowski Yes
Record

  1. Staff and consultants (Stantec) presented research and early planning concepts related to erosion, flooding, and long-term shoreline management.

    Joint Meeting of Plan Commission, Environmental Advisory Board, Advisory Recreation Board, & City Council

  2. Attendees reviewed concept boards showing possible shoreline protection, park enhancements, access improvements, and upgrades to waysides along Mariners Trail and Memorial Drive.

    Joint Meeting of Plan Commission, Environmental Advisory Board, Advisory Recreation Board, & City Council

  3. The meeting functioned as a feedback session; the team said it would review comments, refine concepts, and return with updates at future meetings, with more concrete options and costs expected later.

    Joint Meeting of Plan Commission, Environmental Advisory Board, Advisory Recreation Board, & City Council

  4. Stormwater management appeared as an agenda item.

    Public Utilities Committee

  5. Stormwater management appeared as an agenda item.

    Public Utilities Committee

  6. Stormwater management appeared as an agenda item.

    Plan Commission

  7. A Plan Commission agenda item included a request for a zoning variance to operate self-storage units on Columbus Street (Parcel No. 202-201-010-9) in Industrial District I-2, submitted by Brian Backler.

    Plan Commission

  8. Stormwater management appeared as an agenda item.

    Environmental Advisory Board

  9. Stormwater management appeared as an agenda item.

    Public Utilities Committee

  10. Staff reported a mismatch between drinking water sent out (about 1 MGD) and wastewater received at the plant (about 2 MGD), which they presented as evidence of inflow/infiltration and stormwater entering the sewer system.

    Public Utilities Committee

  11. Staff said wastewater flows spike during spring thaw and heavy rain and take days to settle, which they said points to leaks and stormwater getting into the sewer system.

    Public Utilities Committee

  12. Staff told the committee there was no immediate operational crisis related to the extra flow.

    Public Utilities Committee

  13. Staff stated their current approach is to treat the extra water because they believe it is cheaper than a full-scale fix, focusing on obvious low-cost repairs and trying to measure any reduction.

    Public Utilities Committee

  14. A Public Utilities Committee agenda included an item titled “Stormwater utility: updates and action, as needed.”

    Public Utilities Committee

  15. A Public Utilities Committee agenda included an item titled “MS4 stormwater master plan update.”

    Public Utilities Committee

  16. An agenda item titled “2025 Annual WDNR MS4 Stormwater Report” called for review and acknowledgment of the City’s 2025 MS4 report submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

    Public Utilities Committee

  17. The agenda description said the annual MS4 report summarizes compliance efforts under the MS4 permit, including public education/outreach, finding and stopping illegal discharges, construction-site erosion control, post-construction stormwater controls, pollution-prevention activities, and stormwater system maintenance.

    Public Utilities Committee

  18. The agenda description stated submission of the annual MS4 report is required under the City’s WPDES MS4 permit.

    Public Utilities Committee

  19. Stormwater management appeared on the City Council agenda.

    City Council
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