For General Public Works FAQs
What is a stormwater utility?
Stormwater utilities are a relatively recent development in municipal
stormwater management. The first were developed in Colorado and Washington in
the early 1970's. Because stormwater management has traditionally been among the
most difficult programs for local governments to fund, the concept of a
stormwater utility -- an enterprise fund that could provide stable funding for
stormwater operations and capital projects quickly spread to other regions. .
More than 20 cities and counties in several states established utilities during
the 1980s.
The existence of the utility allows Redmond to charge a stormwater utility fee.
Redmond’s stormwater utility was created in 1988. More information about the
utility as it exists today can be found at
Stormwater Utility.
What is a stormwater utility fee?
A stormwater utility fee is the result of unfunded USEPA and Washington
State Department of Ecology mandates on stormwater discharge. This fee
is used to finance annual compliance with the NPDES permitting
standards. This fee is similar to a water or sewer fee. In essence,
customers pay a fee to convey stormwater from their properties.
Is the stormwater utility fee considered a tax?
No, the stormwater utility fee is not a tax. It is a fee generated to
maintain the stormwater utility system and fund the NPDES permit
compliance. It is user based and dependent on the contribution to the
storm sewer system.
Who else is paying a stormwater utility fee?
Every parcel owner in the City of Redmond is responsible for paying a
stormwater utility fee including City of Redmond, State and Federal
government parcels and public institutions, commercial and industrial
parcel owners. Undeveloped parcels, parcels returned to their natural
state, and Washington State Department of Transportation roads are exempt from
the fee.
Who do I talk to if I want to dispute my bill or
impervious area?
The
Utility Billing
Division provides customer service, billing and
revenue collections of water, wastewater (sewer), wastewater treatment,
and stormwater services. Should you need assistance e-mail
UtilityBilling@redmond.gov or call 425-556-2152.
Is there anything I can do to reduce my stormwater
bill?
Yes, a credit system exists for qualified, properly designed, installed
and maintained water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs). This
credit is only available to non-residential properties. Contact Utility
Billing for more information.
Residential properties are not eligible for fee reductions. Because
they typically only have a small amount of impervious surface, they pay
only a small fee when compared to non-residential properties.
If I live on top of a hill, and I don't ever have
any drainage problems, or live on the edge of the City and water drains on my
property away from streets and public drainage structure, or live at the bottom
of a hill and not the cause of increased flooding from uphill, why would I have
to pay for stormwater management services?
Impervious surface on your parcel places a certain demand on the
stormwater system. Stormwater runoff generated by any property must be
controlled and conveyed once it leaves the property so that it does not create
problems for others. While certain projects funded by the program would address
drainage problems on private properties, all property owners would receive
indirect benefits from a properly maintained and operated stormwater management
system for the entire City which is on public property.
Stormwater management activities with broad benefits include keeping
the public streets drained and cleared, making necessary stormwater
infrastructure upgrades, reducing erosion and other pollutants that
enter streams and lakes, protecting and restoring streams and other
aquatic habitat areas and collecting and conveying stormwater safely
through all parts of the City. A portion of the fees also provides
for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations for water
quality improvements; administration of the City’s land use ordinances
through development review; public involvement and educational programs;
and responding to public health and safety issues that benefit all
property owners.
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