Stormwater Planning - Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg is a community in Southern Mississippi that is known as a “Hub City” because it is located at the intersections of several major roadways and rail lines. The city has economic challenges including low property values, high unemployment rates, and multiple brownfield sites and vacant lots. The city owns and operates a regulated municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). Flooding occurs in Hattiesburg virtually every year at a significant cost to the community. The city has also been through a variety of natural disasters including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and two tornadoes in 2013 and 2017 that caused significant damage to the community. These disasters forced the city to prioritize rebuilding. Many of their water infrastructure assets need repair or replacement given they are mostly over 80 years old.
The pilot project effort in Hattiesburg led to the development of a long-term stormwater plan, Hattiesburg Long-Term Stormwater Plan (pdf)
| Hattiesburg’s Long-Term Stormwater Planning Goals | Corresponding Long-Term Stormwater Plan Section or Appendix |
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Engage stakeholders |
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Ensure adequate funding for the stormwater program |
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Achieve efficient, proactive, and cost-effective operation and maintenance of stormwater infrastructure through asset management |
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Improve the city’s resilience to flooding |
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Identify opportunities for improved stormwater management and green infrastructure in public projects |
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