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1. What is stormwater and why does it need to be managed?

Stormwater is any water that originates from precipitation, like rain or snowmelt. Stormwater can soak into soil or evaporate, but in urban areas, most stormwater turns into runoff because of the large amounts of impervious surface. Federal laws regulating stormwater runoff require Athens-Clarke County to reevaluate the way it manages the water that runs off impervious surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, or rooftops. Stormwater runoff carries pollutants directly to our streams and rivers, creating flooding issues and contaminating our local waterways.

2. Why do I have to pay a stormwater utility fee?

The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted to create a stormwater utility fee in December 2004. The utility fee raises the revenues needed to fund Athens-Clarke's Stormwater Management Program. This program brings us into compliance with federal regulations and safeguards our community through improved drainage and protection of local waterways. The stormwater utility fee charges properties in Athens-Clarke County based on that property's contribution to the need for stormwater management. The utility uses the amount of impervious surface, or surface that water is unable to soak into, on a property as the primary basis for the fee. This user-fee system represents a way to raise revenue for the program by charging those who directly contribute to its need. This method presents our community with an alternative to an across-the-board tax hike.

3. What services are funded by money collected from the stormwater utility fee?

The stormwater utility fee pays for the operations and maintenance costs of the stormwater management program. Some of the services tied to the stormwater program include:

• Federal regulatory compliance
• Construction inspections to ensure that erosion prevention methods are being utilized
• Flood protection through capital improvement projects
• Water quality monitoring of local waterways
• Public education and outreach
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Shoulder and ditch maintenance within the publicly owned right-of-way
• Storm drain and storm pipe cleaning and repair, not including private driveway pipes
• GIS mapping

4. Who pays the fee?

All property owners in Athens-Clarke pay the stormwater utility fee. This includes residential homeowners, churches, nonprofit organizations, UGA, and commercial property owners. Undeveloped land does not have any impervious surfaces, so it is not charged a stormwater fee.

5. 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.

6. Why isn't the stormwater utility fee just included on my monthly water bill?

The stormwater utility bill is structured to be paid by the property owner, who might not be the same person who receives the water bill. Property owners make decisions about how the stormwater from their property is managed. In Athens-Clarke County, nearly 50% of properties are occupied by someone other than the owner. Typically, the occupant receives the monthly water bill but it would be inappropriate for a tenant to receive the stormwater utility fee as well.

7. I think my bill may be calculated too high, what should I do?

Stormwater utility bills are based on the amount of impervious surface that is present on the property. The impervious surface is now calculated from 2013 aerial images of every property in the county. If you believe that the area of impervious surface has been calculated incorrectly or has changed since the 2013 images were produced, please contact the Stormwater Management Program at 706-613-3440 or email stormwater@accgov.com.

Adjustment Review Request

8. Do other cities have stormwater user fees?

There are approximately 1,500 municipalities across the country that have developed utilities to fund their stormwater management programs. Including Athens-Clarke County, more than 60 communities in Georgia have user fees that fund stormwater services. These communities include Columbia County, the City of Covington, the City of Decatur, DeKalb County, Douglasville-Douglas County, the City of Fayetteville, Gilmer County, the City of Griffin, and the City of Smyrna.

9. Is gravel considered impervious surface?

Yes. It is difficult for water to soak into a packed gravel surface. Once gravel is compacted, from cars or heavy equipment, for example, surface water runs off of it much like a paved surface. The gravel may slow the flow of water from the area, but nearly the same amount of runoff will flow from the area under the gravel as if the gravel was not there. Many flat roofs are covered with gravel, but they still shed the rainwater that falls on them. In addition, if cars or heavy equipment are traveling on these gravel surfaces; runoff typically carries pollutants like metals or petroleum into our waterways.

10. What happens to my stormwater utility bill when I am no longer the property owner?

On the date of a closure, the closing attorney generates a Property Transfer form (PT-61) that is filed with the deed for the change of ownership.  The closing attorney has 90 days to file this paperwork.  The state receives the paperwork and sends it out to the stormwater utility, the Tax Assessor, and any other parties who subscribe to the forms. Once the stormwater utility receives notification of the transfer, Billing Staff will close the account under the old owner's name and begin an account in the new owner's name. A prorated final bill (based on the closing date) will be mailed to the old owner, and a prorated first bill will be mailed to the new owner with the next billing cycle. 

11. How can I apply for a utility fee credit?

Stormwater credits are given to properties with installed and maintained stormwater systems that meet the requirements of the Athens-Clarke stormwater management ordinance and the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual. Stormwater ponds, wetlands, infiltration trenches, and other management systems reduce the velocity or rate of the runoff or clean up the pollutants found in stormwater. When properly maintained and installed, these systems can qualify for a reduction in fee for the property that they serve. 

Georgia Stormwater Manual

12. Can I reduce my fee by controlling the runoff from my property?

While property owners can't control the rain, they can ensure that their property is developed in such a way that lessens the demand placed on the stormwater system. A system of credits reduces the fee for commercial properties with specially designed systems such as detention ponds or infiltration trenches that manage stormwater runoff. The utility credits may reduce the quantity or quality charges on your stormwater bill. The base charge on your bill is not eligible for reduction. To be eligible for a credit, a property must meet the criteria set in the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual. To view and print the Adjustment Review Request, visit the "Utility Credits" page on our website.

13. My property has terrible drainage problems. Will the utility fee pay for drainage improvements on my property?

If you have a drainage issue and would like to have your property reviewed by the ACC Drainage Inspector, please email stormwater@accgov.com. In certain instances, Athens-Clarke County Stormwater may be able to offer assistance through a drainage improvement agreement. This program aids property owners in resolving drainage problems on private property. The program provides labor for the engineering design and the installation of stormwater facilities needed to alleviate the drainage problem. The property owner is responsible for the cost of materials for the project. For more information about the drainage improvement program, contact Stormwater Management at 706-613-3440.

14. I saw someone dump something into a stormdrain. Who do I call?

Please call the Stormwater Hotline at 706-614-1282 to report illegal dumping or water quality concerns. We will investigate the issue and take the appropriate actions to remediate it.

15. How do I get a rain barrel?

Athens-Clarke County Stormwater offers free rain barrel workshops for the public every fall and spring. To make sure you never miss a workshop, sign up for the Stormwater Education calendar or newsflash. We always post upcoming workshops on the calendar and in our monthly newsletter. If you have any questions or would like to make a container donation, contact us at stormwater@accgov.com.

If you cannot wait for one of our workshops, check out this list of rain barrel retailers in Athens. You can also bid on a one-of-a-kind painted rain barrel at Roll Out the Barrels, an annual event that raises funds for the ACC Green School Program.