2025 Annual Report - Report - Page 22
RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Charles County Government Annual Report • 2025
RESIDENTIAL STORMWATER DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The Residential Stormwater Drainage Improvement
Program (RDIP) was created to enhance climate
resilience and address growing drainage-related concerns. Charles County Government has
received hundreds of complaints in recent years,
largely due to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. In July 2019, the
County received 3 to 4 inches of rain in a few hours
causing major flooding. In 2018, we saw the wettest
year on record with over 60 inches of rain — 20
inches above average. Climate change is expected
to worsen extreme weather and related flooding.
The RDIP is a long-term solution for the County’s
aging and often unmaintained stormwater systems.
Ongoing support is reliant on future funding through
Count y budgets and grants via the Resilience
Authority. Continued, phased implementation will
reduce the backlog of drainage concerns, enhance
public safety, protect property, and build long-term
community resilience.
CAUSES OF DRAINAGE ISSUES
Common issues stem from aging or inadequate infrastructure, and
older developments built before current stormwater regulations
may lack drainage systems. Existing infrastructure may be deteriorated, failing, or undersized for today’s precipitation volumes.
PROGRAM GOALS
The goal is to address flooding and drainage issues on private
residential properties. This involves taking responsibility for privately owned drainage systems that:
• Are in existing subdivisions.
• Are not located within a County easement.
• Drain public property or rights-of-way.
• Have no existing maintenance agreement.
• Pre-date the County’s current Storm Drainage Ordinance.
To assume responsibilit y, the Count y requires
an easement from proper t y owners or HOAs,
e n s u r i n g a c c e s s f o r l o n g -t e r m m a i n t e nance. Unique or high-risk properties may be
handled on a case-by-case basis.
Learn more: www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/DrainageImprovementProgram
109 IDENTIFIED PROJECTS
44
2
Managed by
Planning and Growth
Management
Managed by Public
Works
22
9
Under
County
review
Fully
permitted
FUNDING AND COSTS
~$16.2M
$5.3M
Allocated from the
County’s ARPA funds
(51% of the total
ARPA allocation).
Spent on design;
average design
cost: ~$118K
per project.
PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
• Using existing engineering and construction
services contracts.
• Property owners are engaged throughout the
process.
• Established contracting thresholds and
expedited internal review.
• Residents are informed about temporary and
permanent easement requirements, and the
roles and responsibilities for drainage system
upkeep.
• Streamlined permitting with the Soil
Conservation District.
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CharlesCountyMD.gov
