Troy, OH

Storm Water Management Program

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) requires the City of Troy to administer a Storm Water Management Program to address the quality of stormwater runoff. Stormwater is water from rain and melted snow that flows across the ground and pavement that seeps into the ground or drains into a storm drain. Storm drains, or catch basins, are usually located at street corners. The primary function of a stormwater drainage system is to collect rainwater that drains off properties and onto the roadway and carry the rainwater into a creek, stream, or river. Inadequate stormwater management can result in flooding, structural and property damage, soil erosion, and polluted water quality that may lead to problems in the public water supply and other bodies of water. For further information regarding the Storm Water Management Program contact the Engineering Office at (937) 339-9481.

Equivalent Residential Unit Program

To fund the Storm Water Management Program, the city established a fee through an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). An ERU is defined as the amount of impervious area on a typical residential lot. Impervious areas include but are not limited to, concrete, asphalt, rooftop, blacktop, and compacted gravel. The average square footage of impervious areas for residential lots in Troy has been determined to be 3,000 square feet. Therefore, one ERU is equal to 3,000 square feet. This fee applies to all properties within the City of Troy and is placed on monthly utility bills. The collected fees will only be used to comply with federal regulations, improve water quality, and upgrade stormwater infrastructure.

Ditch Maintenance

If your property abuts a ditch, it likely includes a drainage easement. A drainage easement is part of a property where the City has limited rights of use for the purpose of maintaining drainage. Generally, improvements within the easement cannot be made, including the installation of fences, sheds, or buildings, planting trees, or significant landscaping.

You can see if your property has a drainage easement here. This map shows all of Troy's ditches and highlights properties along them. This letter from the City is mailed to new homeowners with drainage easements.

Property owners are required to maintain the drainage easement on their property. Those requirements include the following:

Property owners must mow the easement area (the City will maintain concrete areas of drainage easement).
The easement must be kept free of debris and trash.
Generally, improvements within the easement cannot be made, including the installation of fences, sheds, or buildings, planting trees, or significant landscaping.