Boston’s New Stormwater Charge: Establishing a sustainable funding source for stormwater management
In our highly urbanized watershed, with up to 80% impervious cover in some areas, polluted stormwater runoff is the greatest threat to a clean Charles River. Large impervious properties, including big box stores and malls, only make up 20% of our watershed, yet are the source of up to 50% of the stormwater pollution according to EPA.
This April, Boston is joining ten other communities across the watershed in establishing a sustainable funding source for stormwater management by implementing a Stormwater Charge.
Facing a need for investment in stormwater infrastructure, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) is reducing its sewer rate and instating a Stormwater Charge to properties with more than 400 square feet of impervious surfaces (hard surfaces that do not absorb precipitation, such as rooftops, asphalt driveways, or concrete patios). The funds from this new charge will support projects to mitigate stormwater impacts, such as installing new storm-drain infrastructure, implementing green infrastructure, and improving current drainage systems. These projects ensure that BWSC complies with the Clean Water Act and EPA regulations.
Facing a need for investment in stormwater infrastructure, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) is reducing its sewer rate and instating a Stormwater Charge to properties with more than 400 square feet of impervious surfaces (hard surfaces that do not absorb precipitation, such as rooftops, asphalt driveways, or concrete patios). The funds from this new charge will support projects to mitigate stormwater impacts, such as installing new storm-drain infrastructure, implementing green infrastructure, and improving current drainage systems. These projects ensure that BWSC complies with the Clean Water Act and EPA regulations.
According to an article by Nitsch Engineering, “To calculate the Stormwater Charge, BWSC will use a unit called the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), which is intended to represent the impervious area on a typical residential property. One ERU is equal to 2,164 square feet and will equate to a charge of $8.98 per month. Properties with more than 400 square feet of impervious area and one to six residential units will be charged for 1 ERU or $8.98 per month. Institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential properties with more than six residential units will be charged based on the amount of impervious area on site. The impervious surface area will be determined by BWSC using GIS data and aerial imagery.”
Property owners looking to reduce their stormwater charge can apply for the BWSC’s Stormwater Grant and Credit Program, which will provide up to a 40% credit towards a property’s Stormwater Charge or a 50% reimbursement for the implementation of stormwater management programming or best management practices. Customers who reduce their impervious area and provide evidence of removal to BWSC will have their impervious area, and thus their Stormwater Charge, re-calculated by the BWSC.
This stormwater charge ensures that properties primarily responsible for causing pollution will be held accountable for their role in finding and implementing solutions. This new funding source will allow Boston to modernize its stormwater infrastructure and help keep our Charles River clean!
