Stormwater Fee Changes Starting July 1, 2025

As of July 1, 2025, the Athens-Clarke County stormwater utility fee will increase 3.75%. This is the second annual increase, following the first adjustment in 2024 after remaining unchanged since its implementation in 2005. These planned increases aim to provide more sustainable, long-term funding for stormwater infrastructure. The stormwater utility fee can only be used on stormwater programs, which includes repairing and replacing old or failed culverts such as those on Olympic Drive, Barber Street, Seagraves Drive, and Athena Drive in recent years.  

A Stormwater Advisory Committee consisting of residents, business owners, and water professionals appointed by Mayor Kelly Girtz first met in July 2021 to begin discussing program changes. In 2024, the Mayor and Commission accepted the committee's recommendation of a financial option with gradual annual increases until 2033 for the stormwater fee that includes long-term, sustainable funding for stormwater infrastructure.  

Bills reflecting the new rates will be mailed out beginning in July 2025. The new utility fee rates will increase the average residential stormwater utility bill by $2.11 a year. Individual bills will vary based largely on the amount of hard surfaces, such as rooftops and driveways, on a resident’s or business’ property.  

These areas prevent rainfall from soaking into the ground and are often referred to as impervious surfaces. The amount of impervious surface on a property is the driving factor behind the stormwater fee, as those surfaces generate runoff that must be handled by the public stormwater system.  

As part of the funding changes, the Stormwater Advisory Committee also recommended a new program that allows single-family residential property owners with erosion problems to request the delivery of rock “riprap” to their location to help prevent further erosion. Additionally, residents can also now request cleaning of stormwater pipes that are located under driveways.  

Residents can also continue to submit locations of public street storm drains and roadside ditches that need to be cleaned and request advice regarding drainage issues in their yards to the Stormwater Management Program by calling 706-613-3440. 

Any changes in stormwater bills prior to the rate increases that began in July 2024 have been a reflection of updated data regarding the amount of hard impervious surfaces, such as rooftops and driveways, on the property. 

Up until 2005, Athens-Clarke County stormwater programs were funded through property taxes, which were reduced at that time to offset the new fee when it was created. A utility fee is considered to be more equitable than property tax because owners of tax-exempt properties, such as churches, non-profit organizations, and the University of Georgia pay into the fund.  

Unlike property taxes, revenue from the fee can be spent only on stormwater programs and infrastructure.  

This includes implementation of a comprehensive stormwater program in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act, ongoing maintenance of Athens-Clarke County’s stormwater system, and infrastructure inspections. Recently, large investments have been made to replace rusted out corrugated metal pipes – some of which have cost over $1 million to replace – that have collapsed under roads.  

The Stormwater Management Program is a division of the Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works Department. Stormwater billing questions should be directed to 706-613-3989 or by email to stormwater@accgov.com.  

Additional information regarding Athens-Clarke County’s Stormwater Management Program, including billing-specific information, opportunities for credits on fees, and information about the Stormwater Advisory Committee, is available at www.accgov.com/stormwater.

Submit Your Photos for the 2026 Stormwater Calendar

It’s time once again to showcase the natural beauty of Athens-Clarke County through the annual Stormwater Calendar. The submission form for the 2026 Stormwater Calendar is now live at accgov.com/stormwater, and we’re excited to see what you’ve captured this year!

With maternity leave coming up for our Program Education Specialist in September, our team is getting an early start on assembling the calendar. We encourage you to send in your photos as soon as possible to help us stay ahead!

Details:

• Submission Deadline: October 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM
  
• Submission Form: Submit your photos here
  You may also email your photos directly to katie.kenerly@accgov.com.
• Theme: While a water focus is encouraged, any nature-related photos are welcome!
• Special Request: We’d love to include photos from this year’s snow event(s)!
• Eligibility: All photos must be taken in Athens-Clarke County to be considered.

The calendar is a great way to celebrate our local landscapes and the connection between our community and the environment. We can’t wait to see your submissions!

Fireworks and Floodplains: What Goes Up Must Wash Down

As you celebrate Independence Day, keep in mind that fireworks can leave more than just smoke in the air—they leave behind debris that often ends up in our storm drains and waterways. Bits of cardboard, plastic shells, wrappers, and even metal wires can be washed into creeks and streams with the first summer rain, especially if they’re used near ditches, roads, or floodplains.

Help protect local water quality this July by:

• Cleaning up firework litter immediately after use.

• Keeping fireworks away from storm drains, roadside ditches, and waterways.

• Choosing less-polluting celebration options when possible (like laser shows or biodegradable confetti).

Let’s keep our festivities fun and our rivers clean this summer!