Cincinnati Mayor Proposed New Stormwater Utility

The plan would move stormwater operations out of the Greater Cincinnati Water Works by 2027.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration of a singular industrial storm drain cover on a matte square representing municipal infrastructure transition. — Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval has proposed a new standalone Stormwater Management Utility to oversee city infrastructure and improve flood response by 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Mayor Aftab Pureval has proposed the creation of a standalone Stormwater Management Utility in Cincinnati to handle the city's complex infrastructure. The new agency would operate independently of the Greater Cincinnati Water Works to improve planning and autonomy following recent flash flooding events.

Why it matters

The city aims to increase administrative control over stormwater investment decisions by separating these functions from existing Metropolitan Sewer District activities. This shift is designed to better manage runoff and improve the city's overall response to heavy precipitation.

The utility generates $31 million in annual revenue and currently manages over 300 miles of storm sewers, 30,500 inlet structures, and 6,000 manholes. The city has set aside $115,000 to conduct a rate study as part of the proposed transition.

The players

Aftab Pureval

Aftab Pureval is the Mayor of Cincinnati who is currently spearheading the effort to reorganize the city's stormwater infrastructure.

Greater Cincinnati Water Works

Greater Cincinnati Water Works is the public utility provider that has served as the parent organization for the stormwater division since 2016.

The details

The proposal requires the new agency to report directly to the city manager and manage key infrastructure such as the Mill Creek Barrier Dam and four pump stations. An administrative review is now underway to determine how to separate these assets and personnel from current departments by the 2027 deadline.

2016: The Stormwater Management Utility became a division of Greater Cincinnati Water Works.
June 2026: The City Council approved the current city budget including the rate study.
September 28, 2026: A committee meeting will take place to discuss the motion.
2027: The target deadline for establishing the standalone agency.

Market Landscape

This reorganization reflects a broader trend of cities moving toward specialized utility management to address aging climate-vulnerable infrastructure. By centralizing these operations, the city positions its stormwater planning to be more autonomous than the legacy Metropolitan Sewer District model.

Residential property owners currently pay a monthly service charge of $9.04 for properties under 10,000 square feet and $12.66 for larger properties. These rates may be subject to change following the outcome of the $115,000 rate study mandated by the new proposal.

The takeaway

The move toward a standalone agency signals that the city expects stormwater management to require more dedicated focus in the coming years. Residents should monitor future council updates regarding the rate study, as these findings will dictate the long-term cost of utility services.