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1. What is the Water Resources Protection Program?

Over the past few years the City has been working hard to develop solutions to address increasingly stringent stormwater regulations and manage the City’s water resources.  A Water Resource Protection Program (WRPP) is being implemented to address these challenges in an economically practicable and sustainable manner. The WRPP is designed to comply with federal and state stormwater regulations, rehabilitate the City’s aging stormwater system, address drainage and flooding problems, and pursue environmental stewardship.

2. What is a stormwater utility fee?

The City has adopted a stormwater utility fee to provide an adequate and stable source of funding for the WRPP. A stormwater utility fee is a "fee for service" based on the amount of impervious surface area on a property (roofs, parking areas, sidewalks, etc.). This approach has several advantages. First, it fairly distributes the cost of the City’s stormwater services across all eligible properties based on the amount of impervious surface. Second, under State Law, the revenue from fees must be placed in a fund that can only be used for stormwater management activities; therefore establishing a dedicated funding source to accomplish the goals of the WRPP.

3. What will the stormwater utility fee pay for?

Services provided will include:

• Meeting the increasing state and federal regulatory requirements contained in the City’s stormwater permit
• Repairing and replacing deteriorating stormwater pipes and structures
• Identifying and implementing capital projects, including the following:
  • Stormwater Retrofits to attain mandated pollution reductions
  • Drainage Improvement projects to address local flooding and drainage issues
  • Major Drainage projects to address needed improvements to the City’s stormwater system
  • Stewardship projects to preserve, enhance, and restore the integrity of the City’s water resources
• Developing a City-wide Water Resources Master Plan to identify, select, and prioritize capital projects as described above to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Water Resources Protection Program in an efficient, fair, and equitable manner throughout the city.

4. How is the fee calculated?

A stormwater utility is a fee for service and all eligible properties are charged regardless of their tax status. Each eligible property is charged in 500 square foot increments of impervious surface. Per the City’s Stormwater Utility Ordinance impervious surface is defined as "area covered by hard surfaces such as structures, paving, compacted gravel, concrete, or other man-made features that prevent, restrict, or impede the downward passage of stormwater into the underlying soil." Unimproved property (defined as a property with less than 300 square feet of impervious cover) is not assessed a fee.

5. What is an example of a fee calculation?

1. Total impervious area = 2,100 square feet
2. Divide by 500 square feet (one billing unit): 2,100 / 500 = 4.2
3. Round to the next whole number: 4.2 rounds to 5 billing units
4. Multiply the number of billing units by the rate ($1.20 per billing unit per month) to determine the annual fee: 5 x $1.20 x 12 = $72 annual fee, billed at $36/half, due in June and December

6. How will stormwater utility impact me?

Learn about your impacts on our website. Search for a property by any of the search options (Full Address, Owner’s Name, Street Number, etc.).  Click on the "Search" button, then click on the desired property in the Property Search Results table. You will be taken to the property’s Summary tab; scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see a box labeled "Stormwater Utility Information".  

7. What do I do if I feel my bill is incorrect?

The City has provided a mechanism for the property owner to submit a Petition for Adjustment to correct discrepancies. Please download the Petition for Adjustment form (PDF).

8. What can I do to reduce my bill?

• Property owners can remove impervious surfaces from their property. This will result in a direct fee reduction if the removal of impervious surfaces results in fewer billing units.
• The City’s Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program (PDF) provides property owners an opportunity to reduce their stormwater utility bill by operating and maintaining a stormwater management facility. These practices include, but are not limited to, bioretention facilities, permeable pavement, and green roofs. 

9. Are there any incentives besides the Credit Program?

Yes! The City partners with the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District (TJSWCD) to offer incentives to property owners to engage in stormwater stewardship practices on their properties, known as the Charlottesville Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP). CCAP provides one-time financial support in the form of a reimbursement to property owners who voluntarily implement water quality stewardship practices such as rain gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, and conversion of lawns to native plants.

10. What does the Water Resources Protection Program Advisory Committee do?

The Water Resources Protection Program Advisory Committee (WRPP-AC) was established by a Resolution of City Council (PDF) to advise City Council and City staff on issues regarding continued development and implementation of the WRPP and Stormwater Utility. The 2019 to 2020 membership of the WRPP-AC consists of the following City Council-appointed members:

• Michael Ramsey (Chair)
• Mary Eiserman (Secretary)
• Jeff Atkins
• Brian Becker
• Morgan Butler
• Jacqueline Goodrum
• Dustin Greene
• David Hirschman
• Rebecca Quinn
• Trey Steigman