How is the stormwater utility fee different from a tax?
The stormwater utility is a user-fee, much like the fee that you pay for your water utility or sanitation service. Users of these services are charged based on the demand they place on the system. The stormwater that flows off your property places demand on a vast system of infrastructure which is costly to operate and maintain. Stormwater must be channeled through a system of pipes and other devices before it can be safely discharged into local rivers, lakes, and streams.
