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1. What is Stormwater?

Stormwater runoff is excess rainwater that runs off from land surfaces during and following rainfall. A certain amount of rainfall will naturally soak into the ground, particularly if the land cover is vegetated or has a tree canopy. Before land is developed for beneficial purposes, a significant portion of rainfall soaks (infiltrates) into the ground, thereby resulting in much less surface runoff.

In developed conditions, however, less of the rainfall can soak into the ground and surface runoff generally increases. Increased runoff contributes to higher peak flows in drainage systems and receiving streams, as well as a greater volume of runoff. Higher peak flows and greater volume contribute to urban stormwater management concerns, including flooding safety hazards, property damage, soil and stream erosion, and impacts to surface water quality and stream health.

Stormwater flows UNTREATED from our roofs and roads into our streams, lakes, and rivers — the same bodies of water we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.

2. Why use "impervious area" in determining stormwater charges?

The billing of all properties (residential or commercial) is based on impervious area. Impervious area is a term used to refer to hard surfaces on a property that do not allow rain to soak into the ground. Roofs, garages, carports, storage sheds, commercial buildings and concrete, gravel, or asphalt driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and patios are all considered impervious areas.

The Stormwater Fee structure reflects the amount of runoff that each individual property contributes to the community's overall stormwater runoff. The more impervious surface area on a property, the greater the amount of stormwater that runs off into our culverts and streams, thus the greater the demand on the drainage infrastructure. The fee is set up so that properties that produce more runoff are assessed a greater stormwater fee.

3. What is an Equivalent Unit Residential (ERU) and how was it developed?

An Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) is the unit of measurement that the Town of Burgaw uses for billing the Stormwater Fee. The ERU was developed by reviewing the impervious area of a statistical sampling of representative properties in Burgaw. Each property was measured and a median impervious surface area was determined to be about 2,400 square feet. Therefore, 2,400 sq. ft. equals one (1)  ERU.  All commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family properties were also measured.  These properties will be assessed one (1) ERU for each 2,400 sq ft of impervious surface per month. 

4. Who has to pay the stormwater utility fee?

Beginning July 1, 2021, all owners or tenants of property within the Town Limits of Burgaw will be charged a stormwater fee. Properties outside of the Town’s corporate limits are not subject to the fee.

5. How often are customers billed?

Stormwater Management Utility customers are billed monthly on the same bill as their water and sewer services. Customers who do not receive water and sewer services from the Town will receive a stormwater utility bill on the same monthly billing cycle.