From IDEAs to a Rain Ready San Diego: Solving the Stormwater Planning Puzzle to get the Most Value Out of Your Capital Investment

Aging infrastructure, increasingly stringent stormwater quality regulatory requirements (e.g., Total Maximum Daily Loads), flood risk management, water supply reliability, budgetary and workforce constraints, and the need for stream rehabilitation necessitate a new and enhanced stormwater management approach to optimize the identification and prioritization of stormwater capital improvement projects (CIP) on an annual and long-term basis. The City of San Diego is currently establishing a comprehensive planning framework as part of its Stormwater Capital Improvement Program (SWCIP) utilizing a Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Loan. This CIP Planning framework will serve as a roadmap, guiding the selection of projects identified through Integrated Drainage Engineering and Analysis (IDEAs), and supporting their implementation through the WIFIA program. In addition, it will help ensure that all Stormwater Department (SWD) capital projects are carried out efficiently and effectively, while meeting the City's sustainability goals. This 'holistic' approach to stormwater management integrates flood control, water quality protection programs, and water supply needs into a cohesive structure, in alignment with the City's sustainability goals. The resulting long-range planning document will prioritize SWD's capital investments, ensuring the successful implementation of a comprehensive and integrated stormwater management program. The City of San Diego Think Blue Infrastructure CIP Program seamlessly integrates construction schedules, financing plans, and strategic planning to deliver exceptional results. By embracing this comprehensive CIP Planning approach, the City of San Diego can ensure that its stormwater infrastructure remains reliable and resilient, while protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for its residents. The benefits of this forward-thinking CIP Planning framework are numerous, including:

*Synchronizes capital and operating budgets;

*Systematically evaluates competing demands for resources based on a prioritization matrix (i.e., Business Risk Exposure criteria) reflecting the City's goals and objectives;

*Identifies, prioritizes, and optimizes the financing of capital projects;

*Links strategic and comprehensive plans with fiscal capacity; and

*Informs the public about the City's investment in infrastructure. The projects in the CIP are meticulously selected and prioritized through a comprehensive assessment process of infrastructure and watershed areas. Cutting-edge storm drainage, habitat restoration, and water quality modeling techniques are utilized to pinpoint key areas for improvement to combat aging and undersized infrastructure, enhance drainage systems, restore ecosystems, and adhere to Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and other water quality regulations. To ensure a comprehensive CIP Planning approach, infrastructure projects are prioritized on multiple layers. One layer involves categorizing projects based on CIP types, while another prioritizes assets based on their condition and level of need. The Asset Management Plan uses a risk-based approach, combining probability and consequence of failure, service needs, and co-benefit analysis to ensure cost-effective and sustainable projects. Factors such as runoff capture, water quality, vulnerable communities, and climate change are considered to provide equitable benefits to the community. This presentation provides a comprehensive approach for effective stormwater management, including planning, design, and implementation of various infrastructure projects based on prioritization criteria. The City of San Diego's CIP Planning approach provides an effective model that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different municipalities facing unique challenges and emerging issues in stormwater program implementation. Specifically, the presentation discussion will address the following questions: -How is the SWD making sure that it is maximizing the value of its capital investments? -What is the best way to approach a sustainable and efficient capital planning process? -What methods are used to determine which drainage system requires water quality improvement, rehabilitation, or flood control projects? -How does the SWD decide which drainage problem area should be tackled first? During this presentation, attendees will gain a deep understanding of the CIP Planning process and learn about San Diego's best practices for enhancing its CIP project delivery capabilities and program implementation. Moreover, the session will feature interactive elements to keep the audience engaged, including lively discussions, Q&A sessions, and real-time polls conducted through Slido's phone application.