Stormwater FAQs

What is stormwater?

Stormwater is rainwater that runs over the surface of the ground and isn’t absorbed into the ground where it first falls. Other sources of stormwater include snowmelt or over-watering by irrigation systems.

Why does it matter?

Stormwater can pose several problems: flooding can be a result of too much stormwater flowing over the ground surface too quickly and overwhelming waterways. Pollution is the result of stormwater washing materials such as pet waste, soil, motor oil, lawn clippings, etc. into the waterways in quantities that damage the health of the waterway.

Why is stormwater a problem now?

As our community has grown, naturally vegetated areas such as forests and wetlands have been developed into homes, schools, businesses and roadways. Rainwater cannot soak into the ground when roofs and pavement cover it so it runs off as stormwater. More and more development means more stormwater. Since stormwater washes over hard, smooth surfaces such as roofs, it moves more quickly. Eventually, flooding may occur with even small rainstorms in developed areas.

What is a watershed?

A watershed, also known as a drainage basin, is all the land that drains into a creek, pond, river or ocean. Larger bodies of water have larger watersheds, which are made up of smaller watersheds. James City County contains 11 watersheds that flow into either the James River or the York River. Both the James and the York Rivers are part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay watershed covers 64,000 square miles and receives water from six states, as far north as New York State and as far west as West Virginia.

What is hardened surface?

What is impervious cover?

Any land that has been improved with building or roadway construction will contain hardened surfaces, also known as impervious cover. Land in its natural state is covered by vegetation, trees, shrubs and or grass. Rainwater can soak into the ground and is used by the plants. When land is improved, there are roofs, driveways, patios, sidewalks, and swimming pools in place of the vegetation. These surfaces prevent the rainwater from soaking into the ground and force the rainwater to run over the ground as stormwater. These surfaces are known as impervious because they are hardened and rain cannot soak into the ground.

What is a BMP?

BMP is short for “best management practice.” A Best Management Practice or BMP is any schedule of activities, physical structure or facility, maintenance procedure, or other management activity intended to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants to our waterways. BMPs can be either an activity, such as limiting the use of fertilizers, or a structure, such as a detention pond. BMPs are used to counteract the impacts of development on our natural environment.

What is a service fee and how is it different from a tax?

The Virginia stormwater utility legislation (Code of Virginia §15.2-2114.A) enables local governments to assess property owners on their contribution to stormwater runoff. Since the assessment is based on contribution to or use of the stormwater system, it is a fee rather than a tax. The law further requires that income from fees be dedicated to stormwater program costs and not exceed the actual costs of services. Public hearings and notice are required prior to adoption of fees.

Generally, fees cannot be claimed as deductions on federal taxes. Consult a tax specialist for specific tax questions with respect to the Stormwater Service Fee.

When and how do I pay the service fee?

Beginning in 2007, the Stormwater Service Fee will be included in your annual James City County Real Estate Tax bill.

Due Dates The Stormwater Service Fee has two due dates during the year: December 5 and June 5. The billing cycle is on the County fiscal year, July 1 through June 30 of every year. The first half bill of a fiscal year is due December 5, and covers July 1 through December 31. The second half bill of the fiscal year is due June 5, and covers January 1 through June 30.

Fees are collected by the Treasurer at the rate established in Chapter 18A of the Code of James City County. At this time, the rate is $4.90 per month for every 3,235 square feet of hardened surface, also known as 1 ERU (equivalent residential unit). Each single family residential building is assessed 1 ERU, or $58.80 per year. Non-single family residential and commercial units are assessed a specific number of ERUs based on the amount of hardened surface present on the lot.

Easy Pay Debit Options (link to Treasurer’s Payment Options) James City County offers three convenient options for automatic withdrawal of real estate and personal property taxes as well as the stormwater service fee.

What is an ERU?

The size of the equivalent residential unit or ERU was determined to be 3,235square feet of impervious cover based on a statistical sampling of residential lots in the County. The median amount of hardened surface, or impervious cover, was measured from actual construction plans and validated through the County’s graphical information system (GIS).

How did you determine the number of ERUs on my land?

All single-family, detached residential lots were assessed at the 1 ERU rate. For all other lots, impervious cover was individually digitized, or measured, using the latest available aerial photography. The impervious cover for townhouses and condominiums were hand calculated using site plans and aerial photography. The number of ERUs was calculated by dividing the amount of impervious cover on the lot by 3,235. Since the number of ERUs was determined primarily from aerial mapping, there is a possibility that there are unexpected errors in the calculations. These errors will be corrected once they are brought to the attention of the Stormwater Division.

The number of ERUs on my bill is wrong. What should I do?

Fill out a Request for Assistance form and submit it to the Stormwater Division. We will get back to you within 30 days to work out an equitable resolution to your concerns.

What does the service fee pay for?

The Stormwater Service Fee goes into a permanent account to pay for all of the costs associated with the enhanced Stormwater Program. This includes everything from the cost of running the Stormwater Division office (office space, staff salaries, equipment, vehicles, etc.) to the program activities. Specifically, the fees pay for:

Providing education and training to citizens and businesses about drainage problems and how to maintain stormwater facilities or BMPs
Repairing and maintaining the existing drainage system
Inspecting new and existing stormwater facilities
Stream restoration projects and construction of publicly-owned BMPs recommended by the County’s watershed management plans
Monitoring streams and waterways in order to assess their health
Meeting state and federal permit requirements

What can I do to help protect our watersheds?

The PRIDE (Protecting Resources in Delicate Environments) Web site at www.protectedwithpride.org describes several steps that anyone can do to help our watersheds:

Reduce pesticides and herbicides in your landscape.
Use chemical fertilizers sparingly.
Use or dispose of grass clippings.
Plant instead of pave.
Redirect runoff from roofs, patios and driveways.
Don’t water your driveway.
Leave the storm drains for the storms.
Be a responsible pet owner.