Work began last week on a project to bring the town up to date on its storm drain cleaning and inspection in Fountain Hills.

Last fall the Town Council approved a $50,000 contract for work during the current fiscal year. The contractor began work along Sunridge Drive near Desert Canyon.

Although the town has budgeted about $10,000 each year for storm drain work it was considered inadequate based on the requirements of federal clean water regulations.

Town Facilities/Environmental Supervisor Raymond Rees said it is vital to keep the storm drains clean to prevent flooding and damage from water back-up.

The town has more than 400 catch basins, and 73,000 lineal feet of storm drains and culverts that it is responsible to maintain.

Soon after the new construction contract was approved the council moved forward on an environmental fee to help fund maintenance on storm water facilities and more.

In December the council approved on a 4-3 vote a $3 per month fee on all parcels in Fountain Hills. That fee is expected to raise nearly $500,000 annually to pay for storm water maintenance and some related capital projects.

The fees could also cover costs for reclaimed water discharge permits, Arizona Department of Water Resources dam inspections and maintenance (the town has about six ADWR jurisdiction dams), as well as such things as household hazardous waste recycling events and storm debris cleanup and street sweeping.

The fee will likely be implemented sometime this year.