News
June 19, 2008
Stormwater Utility Fee Adds Tiers
The City of Raleigh is revising the stormwater utility fee structure for single-family homes with impervious surfaces larger than 6,620 square feet. The new fees will begin appearing on July utility bills. The following is the new fee structure:
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Current Tier Monthly Rate
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New Tier Monthly Rate
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1,000 sq. ft or less: $1.60
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400 sq. ft. to 1,000 sq. ft.: $1.60
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1,001 sq. ft. to 3,870 sq. ft.: $4.00
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1,001 sq. ft. to 3,870 sq. ft.: $4.00
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3,871 sq. ft. or more: $6.80
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3,871 sq. ft. to 6,620 sq. ft.: $6.80
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6,621 sq. ft. to 9,500 sq. ft.: $11.60
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9,501 sq. ft. and above, billed at commercial rate
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The monthly stormwater utility fee is calculated based on the amount of impervious surface on a developed parcel. Impervious surface is any hard surface that does not readily absorb water and impedes the natural infiltration of water into the soil. Common examples of impervious surfaces are roofs, driveways, parking areas, sidewalks, patios, decks, tennis courts, concrete or asphalt streets, and compacted gravel surfaces. In addition to single-family homes, the stormwater utility fee is assessed on multifamily, commercial and industrial properties.
What Is Stormwater?
The following are four different descriptions of the term “stormwater.” Each of the descriptions begins with natural precipitation, then branches out into different issues and challenges … it’s when water contacts the ground that makes the difference:
- Managing surface flows: Water from rain or melting snow. Many communities are concerned about the management of stormwater in developed areas because of the large amount of impervious surface that reduces the area where rain water may naturally infiltrate the soil;
- Pollution and runoff: Rain, which runs off roads, yards and roofs and down gutters into stormwater grates. Stormwater picks up silt and other contaminants as it runs over these surfaces. It is piped and runs untreated into creeks and streams;
- Rain/storm events: Water that is generated by rainfall and is often routed into drain systems in urban areas to alleviate flooding and erosion; and,
- The path of stormwater: That portion of precipitation that does not naturally percolate into the ground or evaporate but flows via overland flow, interflow, channels or pipes into a defined surface water channel or a constructed infiltration facility.
Stormwater Utility Fee
Since March 1, 2004, all owners or tenants of developed property within the Raleigh City limits are billed for these fees. The fee structure reflects the amount of stormwater runoff each property contributes to the community’s runoff.
The stormwater utility fee provides a continuing source of revenue for costly projects of critical importance to water quality, erosion and flooding. Since 2004, the year the stormwater utility fee was implemented, the City has completed a total of 80 stormwater projects at a cost of approximately $11 million. Additionally, 68 projects totaling $55 million are currently under design.
The City’s proposed Capital Improvement Program includes:
- $2 million for stormwater management studies;
- $16.8 million for lake preservation projects;
- $4.5 million for stream restoration projects;
- $25 million for stormwater infrastructure upgrades; and,
- $2.5 million for flood mitigation.
For more information about the stormwater utility fee, contact the City of Raleigh’s Stormwater Management Division at 890-3940 or visit this page.
Prepared by:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Danny Bowden
Stormwater Program Manager
Public Works Department
222 West Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-890-3940
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