Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study

About the Project

The County has completed a Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study and is considering a different option for funding the Stormwater program. Currently, the stormwater program is funded through the Sanitary District Tax based on a property’s real estate assessment. A stormwater utility, however, is calculated based on the amount of impervious surface on a parcel (hard surfaces like roofs and driveways that don’t let rain runoff soak into the ground). Impervious cover is a better estimate of usage of the stormwater system than the property assessment. Properties with more hard surfaces that contribute more stormwater runoff to the system would pay a higher rate. Learn more about a stormwater utility with this Infographic or Fact Sheet.

Because a stormwater utility is calculated based on impervious cover, rather than based on the property’s real estate assessment, it is a fairer way to pay for stormwater. It also allows localities to offer credits to customers who reduce their properties’ runoff to the stormwater system. Many Virginia communities have transitioned to a stormwater utility to fund their stormwater programs.  Stormwater Utility Frequently Asked Questions.(PDF, 164KB)

View the Stormwater Utility Fee Estimator to learn more about the impervious area on your property. 

Need for Increased Investment

The rise in severe and devastating flooding in our area requires the County to increase its investments in our stormwater system. These investments will help maintain and upgrade our stormwater infrastructure to better protect the community.  Staff have identified the types of significant investments required to ensure watershed scale stormwater system improvement. Given the complexity, scale, and scope of these investments, these initial capacity improvement projects will take place over at least the next 10 years. The County has significantly increased funding for the stormwater management program in the recently adopted CIP. The County must also invest in water quality improvement projects required to meet the Chesapeake Bay requirements in the County’s stormwater permit.

Feasibility Study Considerations

• Current stormwater funding methods, needs and levels
• Different types of funding mechanisms
• How customers might be charged for stormwater services
• Comparing Arlington County with other localities in Virginia
• Analysis of customer impacts using different types of rate structures employed by other utilities

Read the interim Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study report.

Schedule

Public Engagement and Presentations

In developing the stormwater utility, the County is engaging with customers from a broad and representative range of backgrounds and interests via online feedback forms, public forums, and other engagement methods. View a stormwater utility flyer in English and Spanish.(PDF, 1MB) Click on the Engagement Timeline graphic below to view it in more detail.

(PDF, 121KB)        

Stormwater Utility Community Advisory Group

The County has invited a number of organizations to join an advisory group, representing single-family and multi-family residential, commercial, religious, environmental, commercial, fiscal, non-profit and institutional sectors.  The advisory group meetings will be public, with a designated time for public comment, although the meeting discussion and agenda will be limited to the advisory group members.

If you would like to attend the SUCAG meetings as a member of the public, please email Aileen at awinquist@arlingtonva.us to receive the meeting link.