Storm Water Management

Flood prevention

The City of Northfield takes an active role in managing stormwater run-off to prevent flooding, control erosion, and reduce pollution of our local waterways. This information lays out our ongoing and future efforts such as our Comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan.

Around your home

You are generally responsible for grading issues around your home: ensuring that stormwater does not pond around your foundation and not creating drainage problems for neighbors. The city encourages the reduction in run-off and pollution from your home and also provides incentive programs (PDF) toward the purchase of rain barrels and building rain gardens.

Erosion control

Construction and grading projects are required to obtain a permit from the city that specifies how run-off will be managed to prevent soil erosion.

Stormwater utility

The city maintains a stormwater utility fee that supports the ongoing efforts to manage stormwater run-off and pollution control. The utility fee is assessed for each property holder within the city and is charged monthly.

Rain Barrel and Rain Garden Incentive Program

The City of Northfield offers a $20 reimbursement for rain barrels purchased after February 15, 2012. A rain garden cost share program is also available with reimbursements up to $250. All city utility account holders are eligible.

Stormwater ponds

Northfield owns and maintains over 30 stormwater retention ponds. Find out more (PDF) about how these ponds function and the maintenance required to keep them operational.

Surface water management ordinance

The city revised and updated its surface water management ordinance in 2010 to bring it up to current standards and to make it more user friendly. The final ordinance language is available in Chapter 22, Article VI of the City Code.

Flood information

The City of Northfield participates in the federal flood insurance program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The city provides basic information about flood hazards, links to FEMA web resources, and flood map resources.