PDH Credits: 4.0 Hours
This program equips municipal leaders, city administrators, engineers, and public works professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to establish or enhance stormwater utilities in their communities. Whether you’re exploring funding mechanisms for the first time or looking to modernize an existing utility structure, this training provides practical guidance grounded in real-world Iowa examples. Participants gain insights into rate structures, regulatory considerations, implementation strategies, and lessons learned from communities that have successfully navigated these processes.
Training is available through our convenient on-demand eTraining platform, allowing you to complete the 4-hour program at your own pace while earning 4.0 Professional Development Hours (PDHs).
Curriculum outline
- Understanding urban stormwater challenges and infrastructure funding needs
- Legal and administrative steps for establishing a stormwater utility
- Rate structure design and fee calculation methodologies
- Current Iowa stormwater utility landscape and survey findings
- National perspectives on stormwater fee trends and structures
- Case studies from Iowa communities: Oskaloosa’s establishment process, Cedar Rapids’ utility overhaul, Ames’ cost-share programs, and Clive’s transition to tiered residential rates
- Strategies for public engagement and community buy-in
- Options for upgrading and improving existing utility programs
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Articulate the rationale for stormwater utilities as sustainable funding mechanisms
- Navigate the key legal, administrative, and technical steps required to establish a utility
- Design equitable and defensible rate structures appropriate for their community
- Apply lessons learned from successful Iowa stormwater utility implementations
- Benchmark their community’s stormwater fees against state and national trends
- Identify opportunities to enhance existing stormwater utility programs
- Develop strategies for gaining public and political support for stormwater funding initiatives
Certification process
- Complete the full ICCSPPI training (online, in-person, or virtual)
- Pass the certification exam
- Sign the ICCSPPI Code of Ethics
Upon successful completion, your certification is valid for three years and includes listing in our statewide database of certified professionals. Recertification training is required to maintain your credentials.
What participants say
“The instructor was very knowledgeable and had a calm and logical method of teaching that truly connects with anyone taking the online course. Not only was the course both fun and challenging but ISWEP’s direct feedback on the training was invaluable.”
– Garth R.“Completing the online ICCSPPI recertification was easy and efficient. The modular format allowed the course to be completed over multiple days and the learning checks at the end of each were helpful for key detail retention.”
– Angelique S.