DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Storm Water Utility Fee Rate Increase and Billing Restructure
SUMMARY:
This item amends Chapter 34 (Stormwater) of the San Antonio City Code relating to rates of the monthly storm water utility fee and restructuring the billing methodology using an impervious cover approach. Using an impervious cover approach will provide a more equitable rate distribution and more accurately measures the use of a property's impact on the drainage system.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In response to regulations enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") in November 1990 requiring the City of San Antonio to develop storm water drainage plans, services, and programs, on May 13, 1993 the City Council passed Ordinance No. 77949 in order to provide funding to meet federal storm water regulations and to protect the public health and safety from loss of life and property caused by surface water overflows, surface water stagnation, and pollution arising from nonpoint source runoff within the city.
Ordinance No. 77949 established a schedule of storm water drainage fees based on the cost of providing drainage service to benefitted properties within the San Antonio city limits and directed the San Antonio Water System ("SAWS") to collect the drainage fees as an agent for the City using its billing system.
The storm water drainage system is not integrated into the SAWS sewer system, but is a City operated municipal separate storm sewer system ("MS4") dedicated to providing collection and conveyance of storm water, rain water, flood water, or other surface water into area rivers and basins consistent with state and federal regulations implemented to protect surface water quality.
In addition, the storm water drainage fee funds the majority of the City's requirements to participate in the National Flood Insur...
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