EQUITY
DRAINAGE FACTS
• New Orleans is one of the top five rainiest cities in the United States
• Sea level rise and increased storm intensity threaten to increase flooding
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Flooding impacts in New Orleans are estimated to cost $1 Trillion per year by 2050 if protective measures are not put in place.
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Rather than creating the most innovative stormwater management system in the world, New Orleans has cut operating costs, deferred system maintenance, and postponed necessary capital investments in improved drainage infrastructure protective measures are not put in place.
WHO PAYS FOR DRAINAGE IN NEW ORLEANS?
Current funding for drainage comes from New Orleans tax payers. According to recent studies, however, between 45-65% of property holders in New Orleans do not pay for drainage. Don’t we all suffer without excellent drainage? Why aren’t we all invested in building a more resilient future for our city?
THE WATER JUSTICE FUND IS OUR ANSWER TO THIS CHALLENGE
It is time for New Orleans to step up as a leader in stormwater management, and new sources of revenue are required to make that happen. We propose instituting a stormwater fee to establish The Water Justice Fund for the City of New Orleans to support enhanced stormwater infrastructure that allows New Orleanians to live and thrive with water. This Fund would be used to support a variety of drainage activities, such as the development of green infrastructure projects, residential resilience projects, and improvements to our existing grey infrastructure.
WHAT CAN THE WATER JUSTICE FUND DO FOR NEW ORLEANS?
To combat the city’s compounding flooding and climate challenges, The Water Justice Fund will:
1.Develop a funding stream where everyone pays into the drainage system, including nonprofits, state agencies, and businesses that don’t pay a water bill;
2. Create a collaborative one-water governance model that consolidates and democratizes drainage leading to more local oversight and transparency measures for current and future funding;
3.Create a dedicated fund to support green infrastructure expansion through a variety of programs;
4. Expand a new and growing workforce in blue/green economy jobs and climate technology.
