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Stormwater

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1. Who do I call if I have questions about the Stormwater Fee or Program?

You can call Augusta 311 by dialing 311 from your phone (within Richmond County) and the Customer Service Representative will answer your question or file . You can also go to the Augusta web site at http://www.augustaga.gov/311 and click on "Request a Service". Go to Augusta 311

2. How will I get a bill for Stormwater?

The Stormwater Fee will be included on the monthly bill that you receive from the Augusta Utilities Department for water and sewer services.

3. What is my fee and how is the fee calculated?

The stormwater utility fee is $6.40 per month for single-family residential property with up to 4,400 square feet of impervious or hard surface area – rooftops and pavement. The fee is $12.80 per month for single-family residential property with more than 4,400 square feet of impervious surface area. The fee for other property is calculated at a rate of $6.40 per 2,200 square feet of impervious surface area. For example, a building and parking lot with 22,000 square feet of impervious surface area would be billed $64 per month (10 x $6.40). You can estimate your bill by viewing the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS) maps and photos of your parcel, and estimating the amount of rooftop, parking lot, driveway and other hard surface area by clicking the link below. Owners of property other than single-family residential also can estimate their bill by clicking the link below.
Stormwater Map Lookup

4. What is stormwater runoff?

Stormwater runoff is rainwater that flows over the ground and into the city’s stormwater system or directly into creeks and streams. When water does not soak into the ground as a result of development, it drains into the stormwater much faster than it naturally would. As this runoff flows, it can pick up and transport harmful pollutants such as oil, grease, metals, pesticide, fertilizer, trash, sediment and animal waste. It also causes flooding.

5. What is a Stormwater Drainage System?

In Augusta, the stormwater drainage system is 731 miles of ditches, 568 miles of storm drains, more than 12,600 catch basins, and nearly 1,000 flood detention ponds. Runoff from developed property - homes, subdivisions and businesses - flows from smaller ditches and pipes into gradually larger infrastructure under and along Augusta’s roadways and into local streams.

6. What is the Stormwater Utility program?

It is a community solution to a critical challenge: Rehabilitating and maintaining the City’s aging, man-made stormwater drainage system. The Stormwater Utility program is being implemented to alleviate drainage and flooding problems in an economically practicable and sustainable manner while adhering to stringent federal and state environmental regulations. A few examples of stormwater drainage deficiencies - and their consequences - that need addressing in Augusta are:

*Flooding in downtown and inundation of sections of neighborhoods adversely impacts residents and businesses, and threatens public health.
*Degraded infrastructure failings such as Patterson Bridge, Colony Park and Mims Road are evidence that the system is aging and rehabilitation is needed.
*The City receives more than 3,000 stormwater drainage system calls each year, most requesting additional routine maintenance. At stake is the preservation of property values, among other concerns.

7. Who benefits from the Stormwater Utility?

Everyone who lives in, works in and travels to Augusta-Richmond County benefit from having roads, protection us from flooding, water quality and regular maintenance that helps keep Augusta the “Garden City.”

8. What is a stormwater utility fee?

Because the city’s General Fund and SPLOST proceeds do not provide sufficient funding for the Stormwater Utility program, the City has adopted a stormwater utility fee to provide an adequate and stable source of funding for the Stormwater Utility program. It is a "fee for service" based on the amount of impervious surface area (hard surface that does not absorb water such as roofs, parking areas, sidewalks, etc.) on a property; all eligible properties are charged regardless of their tax status. Just as it is with the municipal water and sewer system, the stormwater utility fee is proportional to the services provided. This approach has several advantages. First, it fairly distributes the cost of the City’s stormwater services across all eligible properties based on the amount of impervious surface. Second, in accordance with state law, the revenue from fees must be placed in a fund that can only be used for stormwater management activities. Therefore, it establishes a dedicated funding source to accomplish the goals of the Stormwater Utility.

9. How can I check to see how the funds are being spent?

The Augusta web site will have a page devoted to Stowrmwater projects and transparency. The site address will be: http://www.augustaga.gov/2228/Stormwater-Projects Stormwater Projects

10. What will the stormwater utility fee pay for?

Services provided will include:
Developing and managing a master plan to identify, select and prioritize capital projects to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Stormwater Utility program in an efficient, fair and equitable manner throughout the city.
Meeting the increasing state and federal regulatory requirements contained in the City's stormwater permit
Implementation of a comprehensive maintenance system for vegetation control, storm pipe and structure cleaning, street sweeping, detention pond cleaning, and repairing damaged trap lids.
Establishment of an enterprise fund to fund emergency stormwater projects and bond larger stormwater projects.
Small drainage construction projects to address local flooding and drainage issues throughout Augusta-Richmond County; more than 50 have been designed, but were not previously funded
Mowing and other stewardship projects to preserve, enhance and restore the integrity of the City's water resources and improve the appearance of our “Garden City.”

11. What are some specific projects that are planned?

There is a web page that has been created to inform the public about specific stormwater projects. It is located at the following address: Stormwater Projects

12. Why can’t the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program pay for stormwater maintenance?

SPLOST funds can only be used for capital improvement projects; state law does not allow sales tax proceeds to be used for operations and maintenance such as mowing and ditch cleaning. The City can utilize SPLOST however, to fund major drainage capital projects, such as construction of regional detention ponds or installing new drainage pipes, or for minor capital projects such as re-building a catch basin or re-lining a culvert pipe.

13. What can I do at home to help reduce stormwater runoff and improve the community’s water quality?

*Landscape design. Use native plants, which are already adjusted to regional climactic conditions, require less irrigation and fertilizer, and are more disease resistant. Consider ground cover in place of some lawn or turf areas, as they require less maintenance and water than lawns.
*Fertilize use. The reduction or elimination of fertilizer use is encouraged; if you must use fertilizers apply them sparingly and consider non-toxic options such as composted organic material. Also, only apply fertilizer when it will promote root growth and a healthier lawn and garden. Remember that fertilizer can get washed away when it rains and enter the stormwater system, adding excessive and harmful nutrients into local creeks and streams.
*Use mulch. Using mulches in your landscaping and gardening helps to retain water, reduce weed growth, prevent erosion and runoff, and improve the soil for plant growth.
*Irrigate efficiently. Much of the water that is applied to lawns and gardens is not absorbed by the vegetation. When water is applied too quickly, it is lost as runoff along with the top layers of soil. To prevent this, it is important to use low-volume watering approaches such as drip-type systems. In addition, watering should only occur in the early morning or evening, when temperatures are lower and less water evaporates.
*Pesticide use. Like fertilizers, pesticides should be used on lawns and gardens only when absolutely necessary. Pesticide use can be avoided entirely by selecting hearty plants that are native to the area and by keeping them healthy. It is also important to identify any potential pests to determine if they are truly harmful to the plant. If it is necessary to use chemical pesticides, the least toxic pesticide that targets the specific pest in question should be chosen and instructions should be followed carefully.
*Pet waste management. When walking your pet, please remember to pick up their waste and dispose of it properly. Bagging the waste and throwing it away is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and excess nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local water bodies.
*Trash management. When trash is not properly disposed of litter enters the stormwater system and eventually our waterways, increasing the risk of flooding by clogging up storm drains and pipes and posing a threat to wildlife and human health. Practice waste reduction to limit the amount of trash you generate by reusing materials, buying products with less packaging, and throwing less away. Participate in recycling programs to reduce the quantity of waste being disposed of in landfills and substitute used materials for virgin materials, thereby reducing the demand for natural resources.
*Household hazardous waste. That cabinet of cleaners and chemicals under the sink may contain hazardous substances; properly dispose of them.

14. How is the City’s stormwater drainage system regulated?

State and federal laws require that the City inventory and maintain the municipal stormwater system, to protect water quality in our rivers and streams, and to prevent flooding. Regular system cleaning, mowing, inspection, repair and maintenance are required to document for the federal and state that we are in compliance.

15. How do I obtain additional information about the Stormwater Utility program?

The City’s has resources available online at the link below. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please email [email protected] or call 311. Stormwater News and Documents

16. How was the impervious surface information calculated?

The City of Augusta has had an impervious surface layer in its Geographic Information System (GIS) since the early 2000's, as managers realized the need to track this information for Stormwater management. The information was gleaned from aerial flyovers performed periodically, and updated as funds were available. The current impervious layer was updated from aerial photography taken in the winter of 2014, and amended by the addition of development plans submitted to the city since that time.

17. Does dirt/gravel/crush and run count as impervious?

Augusta did NOT include dirt in the impervious calculation methodology. Some original work picked up dirt driveways and parking pads as impervious, however those will be removed as time permits. Gravel and crush and run are considered impervious surfaces because these surfaces are highly compacted and intended to provide a stable base for vehicle travel.

18. How do I file an appeal of my impervious information?

There is an appeal form available on the Stormwater web site for citizens to fill out and submit to request a review of their property.

Stormwater Review Form

19. What is a Stormwater credit and how do I apply for it?

Non-Residential properties may apply for a credit consistent with the Stormwater control measures in place on their property. The credits are based on costs commensurate with the costs of these activities to the City of Augusta.

These credits are:
1. A fully functioning and cleaned detention pond with maintenance records : 40% deduction.
2. Fully functioning water quality devices, with appropriate maintenance records: 15% deduction.
3. A current state industrial permit, with all required paperwork: 5% deduction.
4. Design of detention facilities to reduce the peak flow 10% below required post-development (required in Rock, Raes, and Rocky Creek Basins): 5% deduction.

To apply for a credit, please visit the Stormwater website and download the credit application manual. A registered Professional Engineer must submit the documents on your behalf. Stormwater credits applied for an received in 2016 will be applied retroactively to 2016 bills.

To download the Stormwater credit manual, go to http://www.augustaga.gov/stormwater and click on the "Stormwater Credit Manual" link on the left-hand side.
Stormwater Credit Manual

20. Can I prepay my Stormwater fee?

Yes, certain property holders may wish to prepay their fee for up to a year in advance. While the fee may be pre-paid, they will continue to receive a monthly bill indicating their credit balance. If desired, any customer can also sign up for e-billing so that they can receive a monthly email indicating their balance.