Mission Statement
To provide sufficient maintenance and make improvements to drainage ways, channels, or streams so that run-off water will conform substantially with the lines of such water course.
In 1965, Harker Heights adopted its subdivision ordinance. This ordinance contained only minimum standards concerning drainage criteria. The original community did not foresee flooding problems being created by the development, and by 1989, without the development of proper drainage criteria, drainage and flooding problems were increasing with regularity. In 1989, the City Council directed City Staff to hire an engineering firm to draft a Storm Drainage Criteria Manual that was adopted by ordinance 89-15 on September 12, 1989. In September 2007, the Drainage Criteria Manual was revised and adopted by ordinance 2007-26 on September 25, 2007.
Erosion, silting, and flooding are important concerns in the maintenance of the City's surface drainage and storm sewer systems. Currently, Public Works performs necessary maintenance when a potential problem is identified. The City purchased a new backhoe in 1998, and man-hours spent on this activity have increased since the purchase of this equipment.
Recommended drainage improvements are very costly, estimated at over $8,500,000 in the 1994 Master Drainage Study. Proposed drainage improvements include installing underground storm drains, curb inlet structures, and drainage outfall structures. It would also include making improvements to earthen channels, causing utilities to be relocated.
Drainage Utility System
In September, 2002, the City adopted a Drainage Utility System. This system was adopted because the City Council has determined that the most effective way to meet the financial demands imposed by the drainage system needs is through a combination of property tax revenue and the imposition of a municipal drainage charge on certain lots and tracts benefited by the system. It will protect public health and safety from loss of life and property caused by surface water overflows, surface water stagnation, and pollution arising from non-point source runoff within the boundaries of the established service area.
Drainage Fees
Single family detached dwelling including manufactured homes on individual lots:
$6.00 per monthly billing cycle per dwelling unit.
Other Residential Property per monthly billing cycle per dwelling unit:
| Duplex | $2.88 |
| Triplex | $2.74 |
| Fourplex | $2.57 |
| Fiveplex | $2.30 |
| Sixplex | $2.04 |
| Sevenplex | $1.78 |
| Eightplex | $1.51 |
| Nine or more dwelling units | $2.04 |
Manufacture homes within a manufactured home parks: per dwelling unit. $6.00 per monthly billing cycle
Non-Residential Developed Property:
| Building Size | Monthly Billing Cycle |
| 2,500 sq. ft. or less | $7.20 |
| 2,501 to 10,000 sq. ft. | $14.40 |
| 10,001 to 50,000 sq. ft. | $28.80 |
| 50,001 to 100,000 sq. ft. | $43.20 |
| > 100,000 sq. ft. | $60.00 |
Objectives for Improvement
- Maintain existing drainage ways and channels as efficiently as possible.
- Develop an annual drainage way maintenance program.
- Improve drainage ways by expanding their capacity and installing rip rap (concrete) to provide better maintenance.
- Develop a plan to control erosion.
- Obtain easements to access drainage ditches.
- Adoption of Soil Erosion Sedimentation Ordinance November, 2002
- Adoption of the revised Drainage Criteria Manual September, 2007.
Means to Reach Objectives
- Purchase equipment and materials to make improvements on specific sites. These items can be useful and may help improve drainage and flooding, but probably will not have a major impact on drainage and flooding.
- Require a Fifteen-foot (15') easement on all new development that has drainage ditches to allow for access for maintenance.
- Do not allow fencing to be built blocking drainage ways.
- Consider additional storm water detention requirements to City drainage criteria.
- Explore various types of grants offered by the Corps of Engineers. (These grants only apply to drainage tributaries that belong to the State, for example, South Nolan Creek.)