What is stormwater?
Stormwater runoff is the water generated when rain, snow melt, and surface drainage flows over roof tops, land, parking lots, streets, sidewalks or driveways and does not percolate into the ground. 

Where does stormwater go? Stormwater runoff picks up sediment, contaminants, litter, nutrients, and other pollutants which then discharge untreated water into our waterways.  Unmanaged stormwater could adversely affect these waterways by causing water pollution, stream bank erosion, and even flooding.

What can I do?
Constructing Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to capture rain water where it lands and infiltrating or slowing down the stormwater will allow pollutants and sediment to settle out before they have a chance to discharge directly into waterways.  BMP’s are treatment facilities or measures, including rain barrels, rain gardens, bioswales, stream buffers, native vegetation filter strips, stream bank stabilization and silt fence which reduce pollutant runoff.  BMP’s will help improve the water quality of our streams, creeks, and ponds, which ultimately improvement water quality downstream in the Marais Des Cygnes River, Blue River, and the Kansas River.

Olathe’s Cost Share Reimbursement Program
The City of Olathe and the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program have budgeted $10,000 for a BMP cost share reimbursement program.  This program is an innovative approach to controlling stormwater quality impacts caused by stormwater runoff.  The goal of this program is to encourage individual landowners and businesses to construct BMP’s on their property to improve water quality.  The program is intended to help cover the cost of materials, equipment rentals, and/or contractor labor to install such facilities.  The City of Olathe Public Works Dept. Stormwater Section and the Johnson County Stormwater  Management  Program will provide a 50% match on BMP’s, up to $1,000 for rain gardens or native planting bioswales/stream buffers, and a 50% match on rain barrels, up to $75 each.  Limit 2 rain barrels per application.  Funding is available to applicants on a first come, first serve basis and is subject to the approval of the Public Works Department.  Funding will not be allowed for BMPs that are required for new development.

Examples:
Know Your Roots
Conserve Water with Rain Barrels
How to Build a Rain Garden
Native Plants

Program Applicants Conditions:
1. The applicant shall be responsible for all project costs.  The City of Olathe will provide reimbursement after the costs have been incurred.  The City of Olathe will not reimburse for expenditures prior to the application date.  After submitting all final costs and receipts, the City of Olathe will reimburse the applicant.
2. The project must be completed by October 31, 2013.
3. For rain garden, bioswale, or stream buffer, the City of Olathe will require access to your property for evaluation of the application, prior to the start of construction, during construction, and after construction is complete for final inspection of the project.
4. For rain barrel, the City of Olathe will require access to your property for final inspection after the rain barrel is installed and is in use, and a copy of receipt is submitted.
5. Implementation of an approved project is the sole responsibility of the property owner.  The City of Olathe is not liable for personal injury or property damage resulting from said work.
6. Projects approved for funding carry no implied warranty by the City of Olathe.
7. The funded practice shall be maintained for a minimum period of three years.  All maintenance costs are the responsibility of the property owner.
8. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all applicable permits.  This application approval does not constitute a permit.  This includes notifying Kansas One Call before digging.

Instructions:
1. Fill out the application.  Attach a map, project summary/description, cost summary, project schedule, and pre-construction photographs.  Supporting information not required for rain barrel applications.
2. Include any cost estimates or quotes.
3. Make sure the application is signed by the property owner.
4. Submit the completed application and all required documents to:
City of Olathe
Public Works Department
Attn:  Mike O’Connor
P.O. Box 768
1385 S. Robinson Dr.
Olathe, KS 66051
5. After application approval, contact Public Works prior to starting the project for an initial inspection.
6. Call Public Works for a final inspection after the project is completed.
7. Submit final receipts to Public Works for approval and payment.

Contact Information:

Mike O’Connor
Stormwater BMP Cost Share Reimbursement Program Coordinator

City of Olathe Dept. of Public Works Stormwater Management Section 1385 S. Robinson St. Olathe, KS  66061 www.olatheks.org