Comment Period Open For San Marcos’ Stormwater Technical Manual

The City of San Marcos Engineering & Capital Improvements Department is accepting comments on updates to the City’s Stormwater Technical Manual through March 31.

The changes reflect new data released by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The revised manual incorporates the changes commonly known as Atlas 14, which reflect the rainfall values published by NOAA on Sept. 27, 2018.

These rainfall value updates were calculated from data collected between 1994 and 2018, and they conclude San Marcos receives significantly more rainfall impact than is accounted for by previous reports.

Changes to the Stormwater Technical Manual include updates to the rainfall tables in Chapter 3, which cover the frequency of rainfall.

The new tables more accurately assess flood risk with the goal of ensuring future development will be built to be sufficiently resilient to protect life and property.

The effective date for the use of Atlas 14 rainfall is tentatively scheduled for May 1, 2020.

Capital Improvements Projects starting after the Atlas 14 effective date or those in the planning and preliminary phases after that date will use the Atlas 14 rainfall data.

All permit applications filed after the Atlas 14 effective date will use the Atlas 14 rainfall data.

Visit www.sanmarcostx.gov/stormwaterupdates to review the changes and learn more about Atlas 14. Any comments or questions can be sent to Enginfo@sanmarcostx.gov.