Urban Storm Water in District Canals

While irrigation districts formed under ORS 545 have no specific authority to accept municipal storm water or to convey that water, many irrigation districts have allowed near by cities to use their irrigation ditches and agricultural drains for storm water runoff. As urbanization continues to increase, the demand on the districts’ canals has reached new heights. Increased demand coupled with more environmental concerns and regulatory oversight have caused many districts to re-evaluate allowing use of their irrigation canals or agricultural drains for accepting urban, suburban and municipal drainage. Recently, the Pioneer Irrigation District initiated a lawsuit against the City of Caldwell Idaho to prevent the City from dumping municipal storm water into its irrigation canals.

From a City’s perspective, utilizing the existing delivery and drainage infrastructure is an attractive prospect. From the district’s perspective, allowing a city to use its canals requires consideration of the legal, financial and political issues that may arise. First the district must consider whether it may even accept the storm water pursuant to its authorizing statute and pursuant to it’s organizational by-laws, rules and regulations. Second the district must consider the impact the storm water will have on its users and the quality and quantity of water in its canals. If the district determines it may accept the storm water, it is imperative the terms and conditions of the city’s use of its canals and drains be specifically detailed in a storm water contract or other intergovernmental agreement. Many times these agreements can be a benefit to the district by increasing the financial resources of the district. Schroeder Laws Offices, P.C. can help districts consider these factors and make these determinations and agreements that will protect the district’s interests.