Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program Open with New Practices, More Reductions
Property owners have until February 15 to apply for reductions – or ‘credits’ – on their annual Stormwater Utility Fee for eligible stormwater management practices, including newly added flood mitigation practices.
The Stormwater Utility Fee is paid by all property owners and is the City’s dedicated funding source for stormwater management program services. Reductions are granted to property owners who take steps to improve water quality or mitigate flooding on their properties, including a new list of flood mitigation practices added this year. The credit application window is open each year from December 1 to February 15.
In addition to adding flood mitigation practices, now a property can apply for up to 50% reductions in the Stormwater Utility Fee.
For example, a typical single-family home with a Stormwater Utility Fee of $294 in 2023 can apply for 35% in reductions if the property owners has a rain barrel, rain garden and mature tree, to save $102.90 off the Stormwater Utility Fee (see the table below).
|
Practice |
Percent Reduction (%) |
SWU Fee Credit ($/yr)* |
|
Rain Barrel (1) |
5% |
$14.70 |
|
Rain Garden |
20% |
$58.80 |
|
Mature Tree (1) |
10% |
$29.40 |
|
Total Credit |
35% |
$102.90 |
* Based on Fiscal Year 2023 Stormwater Utility rate of $294 for a single-family home.
To view the revised Credit Manual adopted by City Council or learn more about the Stormwater Utility Fee, visit the City’s Stormwater Utility Fee website.
Background: The City of Alexandria adopted the Stormwater Utility Fee in January 2018 to provide a dedicated funding source for the stormwater management program services and costly new capital stormwater infrastructure projects to address the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup by reducing nutrient and sediment pollution in urban stormwater runoff that enters local waterways. Following more recent flooding events and significant progress being made to clean up the Bay, the City shifted resources to increase funding for flood mitigation initiatives under Flood Action Alexandria, including 35 current flood mitigation capital projects.
In November, City Council approved the revised Credit Manual, which expands the list of eligible practices and increases reduction amounts property owners can claim.
# # #
This release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4269.