Nicholasville city engineer discusses stormwater challenges

Published 2:52 pm Monday, August 4, 2025

As Nicholasville continues to grow, so do the challenges of maintaining its aging stormwater infrastructure. City Engineer Brian Claar, who has served in the role for more than three years, said both innovation and community involvement are key to keeping the system functioning and the local environment protected.

Claar, a University of Kentucky graduate, began his career in West Virginia working in highway transportation and erosion control. He later moved into the power and construction industries, gaining a combination of technical and business development experience before returning to Central Kentucky and joining the Nicholasville City Engineering Department.

“I’ve had great mentors who each taught me something different—technical knowledge, creating a positive team culture, and how to write clearly and precisely,” Claar said.

Claar noted that Nicholasville’s stormwater system, unlike water or sewer utilities, lacks a dedicated revenue source for repairs and upgrades. Many components of the system have been in place for decades, creating maintenance challenges for the city.

“Stormwater used to be about getting it off-site quickly,” Claar said. “Now it’s about quality. We’re trying to make sure what leaves a property is as clean as possible.”

That shift in focus means residents have a role to play in protecting water quality. Claar said simple steps—such as cleaning up pet waste, disposing of yard debris properly, and never pouring oil or chemicals into storm drains—can help keep harmful pollutants out of local waterways.

“People may not realize it, but whatever is on the ground ends up in our lakes, rivers, and streams,” he said. “Something like a quart of oil can spread across a large body of water, creating real environmental harm.”

To assist the city’s efforts, residents can report concerns such as blocked drains or unusual runoff by contacting City Hall or visiting the Streets and Stormwater page on the city’s website. Claar said these reports help the city track and eliminate illicit discharges.

Nicholasville is also an active participant in the Kentucky Stormwater Association, a professional network of engineers and municipal leaders that collaborate on solutions to shared challenges. The city’s stormwater program also falls under the federal MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) program, which requires annual reporting to the state.

Claar said being a city engineer has given him a sense of purpose that previous private-sector roles didn’t offer.

“In previous jobs, I was part of big companies,” he said. “But in this role, I feel like I’m doing something that helps people I see every day—my neighbors, my community.”

Claar said he’s proud to see attitudes shifting as public awareness grows.

“If just a few people begin to change their habits, pick up litter, clean up after pets, improve erosion control—it can ripple out and make a real difference,” he said.