Managing Stormwater Sustainably
Stormwater management affects everyone in a community: residents, businesses, and even the local government.
With traditional management, street flooding becomes common, resulting even from moderate rains, and streams erode and destroy both public and private property. These problems come from the use of concrete pipes to move stormwater away from where it falls as fast as possible with little concern of downstream effects.
Implementing best management practices throughout our system focuses on management of stormwater at the source: holding rain and melting snow where it falls for longer. The result is to slow the movement of water, which reduces flash flooding and erosion downstream.
How Your City Utility Bill is Calculated
Your bill will include charges for water (based on use), wastewater (based on use), curbside recycling ($5.15), trash (varies based on container size) and stormwater management (based on system impact), as well as sales tax on the water and, for commercial properties, wastewater portions.
Water and waste water use are billed based on actual use in 1,000-gallon increments, so you might see changes in your bill month to month, or a higher bill in a month you use less than your average. For example, if your household uses 1,400 gallons in each of January and February, your first two monthly bills would be for the 1,000-gallon minimum each. If you used 1,200 gallons in March, your bill would be for 2,000 gallons, even though you used less water, because your cumulative use added up to another 1,000 gallons.
If you have specific questions about your account, you can contact City Hall at (319) 626-5700 for assistance.
Water & Waste Water Rates
Rates are approved by the City Council and based on the cost of building, maintaining, running, and improving our water and wastewater treatment plants and systems, which are directly influenced by the need to meet increased state and federal regulations.
Stormwater Rates
Residential properties pay $4 for single-unit, two-unit and townhomes, $3 for multi-unit and manufactured homes and $2.50 for mixed-use residential.
Commercial and industrial properties pay based on an “equivalent residential unit,” or ERU, structure, with a rate of $4 for the first ERU and $1 for each additional ERU so the fee is based on the use and impact of the property’s total impervious surface.
Providers of Everything Else
Private utilities provide service for natural gas, electricity, landline phone, cable and high-speed internet.
Electric
- Alliant Energy
- Corridor Energy Cooperative
- Mid-American Energy
Natural Gas
- Mid-American Energy
Internet
- Mediacom
- South Slope Cooperative Communications
Telephone
- South Slope Cooperative Communications
Cable Television
- Mediacom
- South Slope Cooperative Communications
Report a Street Light Outage
North Liberty’s street lights are maintained by the city’s power providers, Alliant Energy, Corridor Energy Cooperative, and MidAmerican Energy.
To report lights that are out, blinking or dim, note its location as precisely as you can (street address, block number, intersection including which corner, etc.) and file a report with the appropriate provider. Be prepared to provide your name and contact information.
If you are unsure which provider is responsible for the light, refer to the map maintained by the Iowa Utilities Board.
Stormwater Stewardship
With traditional management, street flooding becomes common, resulting even from moderate rains, and streams erode and destroy both public and private property. These problems come from the use of concrete pipes to move stormwater away from where it falls as fast as possible with little concern of downstream effects.
This program focuses on management of stormwater at the source: holding rain and melting snow where it falls for longer. The result is to slow the movement of water, which reduces flash flooding and erosion downstream.
Grants & Cost-Sharing
The City of North Liberty offers a cost-sharing program of up to $2,000 with the goal of improving the quality of stormwater runoff and reducing the pollutants entering the city’s storm sewer system and waterways through the use of best management practices. The program provides funding assistance for property owners who install improvements following best management practices related to stormwater quality in North Liberty.
Best management practices covered by our program include:
- Rain gardens
- Bioswales
- Pervious paving and other infiltration practices
- Bank stabilization
- Soil quality restoration – check out our Your Best Lawn program.
- and other generally accepted stormwater quality best management practices as approved by the city.
Approved practices must conform to the Iowa Stormwater Management Manual.
Funding is limited to one qualifying application per improvement that isn’t regular or required maintenance. For the grant, property owners must complete an application and submit a plan showing the details of the improvement.
Your Best Lawn Through Soil Quality Restoration
Green Lawns Don’t Have to Cost the Earth
Together with the cities of Iowa City and Coralville and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, we’ve created Your Best Lawn. Cleaner water in our streams starts in your backyard. We can help you get a lawn you are proud of with less chemicals.
Check out our soil health contractor list and learn about the rebates we offer to help you pay for soil quality restoration service.
Healthier
Iowans know that good soil makes all the difference! The lawn on the left has restored soil, the one on the right does not.
More Enjoyable
After the soil restoration, you can spend more time enjoying your lawn and less time spraying lawn chemicals!
Cleaner
Less lawn chemicals means cleaner grass and less polluted runoff into local waterways. That’s the reason we can help pay for this service!
Hear from Happy North Liberty Residents
“This project helped with reducing water runoff and at the same time made my yard greener, healthier, and thicker. “ — Shawn B.
“This is the best yard I have ever had in four homes. I was a little bit cynical it would really help but was very pleasantly surprised and happy with the results.” — Sheldon S.
“Soil quality restoration has improved the health of our lawn which has grown into a lush carpet of grass that is much more pleasant to spend time on with the kids. Being able to do so without heavy chemicals and/or fertilizers gives additional peace of mind not only for my family’s health but the health of the environment.” — Kevin M.
“Our lawn is the first to turn green in the spring.” — Daniella M.
“Much thicker lawn more resistant to disease and drought. Less fertilization and weed killer now required.” — Michael L.
How it Works
The soil quality restoration project requires specialized equipment to perform.
Step 1: Request a Quote
To start the ball rolling, request a quote to send a message to all qualified local landscaping companies. If you already know the landscaping company that you want to work with, you can contact them directly.
Step 2: Contractor Visit
The qualified contractors will schedule a visit to your home to measure your lawn, contact Iowa one-call for locations of utilities in your yard, and give you an estimate.
Step 3: Submit Application to the City of North Liberty
Reimbursement must be approved by the city before the service is performed. Submit your application online or download and print the application.
Step 4: Aeration
Once you hire the contractor and select the date, they will go over your lawn with an aerator to bring plugs of the soil up to the surface. This will create temporary holes in your lawn.
Step 5: Compost Application
The last thing the contractor will do add compost to fill in those holes to help grow a green, lush, lawn.
Step 6: Water
Your lawn will need a lot of water until the grass sprouts. Your contractor will advise you on how much to water, and when.
Step 7: Enjoy!
With a little time (and water) your yard will look great!
Questions?
Contact a qualified landscaping contractor through the Request Quote tab above or reach out to the City of North Liberty at (319) 626-5713.
Reimbursement
Reimbursement must be approved by the City of North Liberty prior to the work being done to qualify for 50% reimbursement. Once contractor quote(s) are collected, homeowners must attach the quote(s) when completing the form below.
This program is to improve the quality of stormwater runoff and reduce the pollutants entering the City’s storm sewer system and waterways through the use of best management practices (BMPs), such as soil quality restoration. The maximum funding for these practices will be half of the project cost up to a maximum of $2,000.
Applications will be processed within two weeks of submission to the North Liberty Building Department.
Contractors
Contractors are listed in alphabetical order.
Absolute Outdoor Services, Inc.
(319) 679-4276
Forever Green Garden Center and Landscaping
(319) 686-6770
Greenstyles Erosion and Lawn
(319) 383-2526
Heartland Grounds
(319) 535-0343
Ketelsen Landscape
(319) 800-4884
Sustainable Landscape Solutions
(319) 359-0200
Turf Masters Lawn and Landscape
(319) 330-4259
If you are a contractor and would like to be added to our list, please contact Mike Wolfe.
FAQ
What is Your Best Lawn?
Your Best Lawn is a voluntary program that North Liberty, Coralville and Iowa City offer to help residents enjoy greener lawns with fewer chemicals. We help residents find and pay for soil restoration projects on residential lawns.
Who is eligible to participate in this program? Who needs it?
Residential property owners within the political limits of North Liberty, Coralville and Iowa City.
Who benefits from this program?
Any homeowner who wants a healthier lawn, has poor soils, and/or excessive ponding and runoff.
Why do the three cities do this?
The three cities are partnering on this program because our communities benefit from cleaner waterways and reduced flooding.
How much does it cost to do a soil restoration on my lawn?The cost of this service can vary from property to property and company to company. Contact a contractor for a cost estimate to complete soil quality restoration on your yard.
North Liberty, Coralville and Iowa City will each reimburse residents for 50% of the total cost, or up to $2,000, whichever is less.
When will I receive my reimbursement?
You will receive your reimbursement after the soil restoration is complete and your contractor notifies the city that it can inspect the work. This is usually within 30 days.
How long does it take to perform the soil restoration?In most cases, the contractor will complete their work in one day. It will take several weeks for the new grass to grow in.
When should I reserve a slot with my contractor?
Landscaping contractors perform soil restorations in the spring and fall, and the exact time depends on the weather. Contact your qualified local contractor early to reserve your spot!
What kind of maintenance is necessary after the soil restoration?
Your contractor will advise you on watering and other maintenance steps that may be necessary for your yard.
Can I do soil restorations more than once?
Yes. If you want to repeat the project in future years, you will still be eligible for the cost-share from your city.
After the soil restoration, will my yard be chemical-free?
You can expect that you will need to use fewer chemicals than before, but we can’t promise that you will be completely chemical-free.
How do I get started?
Request a free estimate from all qualified local contractors through the Request Quote tab above. You can also review the list of qualified local contractors and contact them directly if you prefer.
What if I don’t see the answer to my questions here?
Still have questions? Contact City of North Liberty Stormwater Coordinator Mike Wolfe at 319-626-5712.
Help Prevent Storm Water Pollution
The wastewater and sewage that drain from inside your house is treated and cleaned before it enters local waterways, but the storm drains in the street outside your home flow directly to waterways without any treatment. It is therefore very important that no one be allowed to dump waste of any kind onto the street surfaces, drainage pipes, and ditches, or into storm drains—they are only for rainwater. If you see someone dumping anything onto street surfaces, into storm drains, or into any other device built to contain rainfall or runoff, please report it immediately by calling the City of North Liberty at (319) 626-5700 or by using this form. Fill in the appropriate information and a City of North Liberty employee will investigate all reports received and take any and all appropriate enforcement actions necessary to rectify the discharge.
Request a Quote
Form for residents to request a quote from all approved SQR contractors at once.