What is the “Stormwater Runoff Fee” that appears on my bill?
This fee was established to help fund the cost of permits mandated by the state. As rainwater flows through the City’s storm drainage pipes and ditches, the water picks up various pollutants, such as: motor oils, gasoline, and chemicals on our driveways, streets and parking lots. Fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides on our lawns and gardens, paint, cleaners and household hazardous waste that are poured into storm drains, mud and debris from construction sites, stream bank erosion and other bare areas. Through the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently begun regulating the quality of stormwater runoff. New EPA stormwater regulations (known as Phase II regulations) required Jacksonville to apply for a permit in March 2003 to manage stormwater runoff.
