Stormwater

About the Stormwater Utility

On January 4, 2022, the Seguin City Council approved an ordinance to create a Stormwater Utility with a rate of $3 per month per ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit). This fee is similar to other utility fees for electricity, water, sewer, and garbage. ** Fees generated from the monthly rate, effective as of January 1, 2023, will help the City of Seguin to develop, operate and fund a stormwater management program.

Seguin is experiencing rapid growth. Projected population increases, coupled with a drainage system that is decades old, presents new challenges and increased needs in order to control flooding and its impacts. The Stormwater Utility will focus on:

Drainage Improvement Projects
Storm System Maintenance & Repairs
Floodplain Management
Cleaning of Pipes/Ditches
Water Quality Protection & Improvement
Compliance with State & Federal Regulations

Why is this needed?

Stormwater pipes, catch basins, and related infrastructure deteriorate over time, impairing their ability to convey stormwater, threatening property and causing flooding and road closures. To address these drainage problems and comply with state and federal regulations, many cities develop and implement comprehensive stormwater management programs funded by a stormwater utility user fee. Maintenance and repairs to this infrastructure is very costly. The Stormwater Utility Rate is a more equitable way to fund stormwater systems, and this dedicated funding source will help the City of Seguin better maintain a functional system.

Who will pay the fee?

All property owners in the Seguin city limits, both residential and commercial, will pay the monthly rate. State agencies, public or private institutions of higher education are exempt from the fee.

How is the fee determined?

The Storm Water Utility Fee is based on the amount of impervious surface on each property and is developed using an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). Each ERU is equivalent to 2,500 square feet of impervious area. The city uses digitized aerial photography to measure impervious (hard surface) areas of every developed parcel. Non-residential fees are based on the amount of hard surface area on the property. Hard surface area include rooftops, garages, patios, buildings, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots.

How much will I have to pay?

Residential customers will pay a fee of $3 per month x 12 months = $36 per year.

Non-residential includes multi-family properties, offices, institutions, manufacturing/industrial facilities and churches. Hard surface area will be divided by the standard Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of 2,500 square feet to determine the number of billing units on the property. The number of billing units then will be multiplied by the standard ERU rate of $3.

For example, the fee for a commercial property with a total hard surface area of 30,000 square feet will be $36 monthly, calculated as follows:

30,000 square feet ÷ 2,500 square feet/ERU = 12 billing units

12 billing units x $3 per month/ERU = $36 per month x 12 months = $432 per year.

View impervious cover interactive map to find and calculate your stormwater utility rate.

Helpful Links:

FAQs

What is stormwater?

Stormwater (runoff) is rainwater that does not soak into the ground. It flows over roofs, pavement, bare soil and lawns into storm drains. A stormwater system manages the flow of stormwater during storm events to help prevent flooding. Runoff can pick up pollutants, sediment, and debris that are harmful to plants, animals, and humans. These pollutants can affect the river, streams, and waterways of this region.

What is a Stormwater Utility rate?

Like electricity, water and sanitary sewer service, stormwater runoff can be managed as a utility. Customers are charged a fee based on the stormwater runoff impact that their properties generate. Runoff impact is based on the amount of impervious surface on a parcel. The utility is supported by fees that every property owner within the City are billed for and is added to your monthly utility bill.

What is an impervious area?

An impervious surface is a hard surface that does not allow rain to absorb into the ground. Impervious surfaces increase stormwater runoff. Some examples are roofs, sheds, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks.

What is not an impervious surface?

Lawns, gardens, flowerbeds, woods, retention basins. Almost every natural area is not considered an impervious surface.

I have a gravel parking area. Is that impervious?

Unless gravel is specifically designed to be pervious, gravel is an impervious surface. Gravel is compacted and acts in that same way as concrete or asphalt.

Why do we need this?

There are a number of factors that have led the City of Seguin to implement a stormwater utility including regulatory obligations, residential growth (current and anticipated) and growing infrastructure and maintenance needs. The City has identified capital projects and significant maintenance items related to stormwater (drainage) that are not currently funded through the general fund. These capital projects are designed to address existing localized flooding issues, street ponding and provide the capacity necessary for future development and redevelopment. The improvements will also upgrade the City street network.

Also, Federal and State regulations on stormwater management will be required due to the growth in this region and the impending population surge in Seguin. Regulations are becoming more restrictive and the City must comply with those regulations as well. The Stormwater Utility Rate will help meet these challenges. Supported by equitable fees, the Stormwater Utility Rate provides a dedicated funding source to reduce localized flooding, replace and add additional storm sewer pipes, reduce creeks, stream/riverbank erosion, and meet regulatory requirements to reduce stormwater pollution.

Is the Stormwater Rate a tax?

No, the Stormwater Utility Rate is a utility like your electric/gas, water/sewer utility. Stormwater Utility Rates are for services provided and are common in cities throughout Texas. They are used to fund all or part of public programs such as water, sewer and stormwater. Utility fees are based on the amount used. Taxes, generally speaking, do not have a direct relationship between the source of revenue and the purpose to which it is applied.

How is the Stormwater Utility Rate determined?

The Stormwater Utility Rate is based on an Equivalent Residential Unit. The City made this determination by taking a sampling of residential properties, the impervious area on each one measured and a typical impervious area calculated was 2,500 square feet.

How much is the Stormwater Utility Rate?

Residential customers will pay a fee of $3 per month x 12 months = $36 per year.

Non-residential includes multi-family properties, offices, institutions, manufacturing/industrial facilities and churches. Hard surface area will be divided by the standard Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of 2,500 square feet to determine the number of billing units on the property. The number of billing units then will be multiplied by the standard ERU rate of $3.

For example, the fee for a commercial property with a total hard surface area of 30,000 square feet will be $57.50 monthly, calculated as follows:

30,000 square feet ÷ 2,500 square feet/ERU = 12 billing units

12 billing units x $3 per month/ERU = $36 per month x 12 months = $432 per year.

Who is required to pay the Stormwater Utility Rate?

The Stormwater Utility Rate is applicable to developed properties within the Seguin city limits and included on the monthly water, sewer, and trash/recycling bill. If the owner of a property normally pays for utility services on a property, the stormwater rate is sent to the owner for payment. If an occupant or tenant of the property is responsible for payment of utilities, the City considers the occupant or tenant to be responsible for payment of the stormwater rate. However, the owner of non-residential properties will be expected to pay the stormwater rate if the property has been vacated by a tenant.

View All

Stormwater

About the Stormwater Utility

Why is this needed?

Who will pay the fee?

How is the fee determined?

How much will I have to pay?

Helpful Links:

FAQs

Contact Us

Quick Links