HomeMy WebLinkAboutUtilities 2015-01-27 Item 4C - Surface Water Bill InsertYour Storm and Surface Water bill:
Answers to frequently -asked questions
City of Tukwila information for property owners
What is the storm drain bill for? The storm drain bill
pays for the operation, maintenance and regula-
tion of the citywide storm and surface water sys-
tem. The storm and surface water system includes
storm drains, ditches, pipes, detention /retention
systems, the Green and Duwamish River levee sys-
tem, creek maintenance, fish habitat projects and
compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act.
Is the storm drain billing the same as the Storm and
Surface Water Management (SSWM) bill? Yes.
Is this storm drain bill new? This is not a new bill.
Tukwila has sent its Storm and Surface Water Util-
ity bill directly to property owners since January of
1990. If a parcel is sold, the storm drain bill stays
with the property.
Who pays the storm drain bill? All property owners
in the City of Tukwila are billed for surface water
management. This includes private businesses,
homeowners, the City, and other governmental
agencies within Tukwila.
When are the storm drain payments due? The storm
drain bills are due March 15 and September 15.
What are the storm drain rates? There are two rate
categories. Single- family residential parcels
are billed at a flat rate of $142.00 per year. Non
single- family parcel (NSFP) rates are based on
the percentage of impervious surface and size of
the property. Qualified low - income seniors and
permanently disabled persons owning qualified
single family parcels may be eligible for a reduced
rate. For more information, please contact 206-
433 -1849, or email Utility @TukwilaWA.gov.
What determines billing rates? Storm drainage rates
are based upon the contributions of a parcel's storm
and surface water run -off into the City's system.
What is "impervious surface ?" An impervious surface
is a hard surface that does not allow water to
seep into the soil at the same rate as it had under
natural conditions before development, grading
or alteration of the land. It includes, but is not lim-
ited to, rooftops, asphalt or concrete paving, drive-
ways, parking lots, walkways, patio areas, storage
areas, compacted surfaces, or other surfaces.
My property is undeveloped; why do 1 have to pay?
Approximately 10% of surface water runs off from
undeveloped parcels. Once any surface water
leaves the property, it typically drains into the
City's storm drainage system.
How was the size of my property determined? The
King County Assessor's records and maps were used
as the main source of property area information. If
you believe our records to be incorrect, you may
submit documentation showing the correct area.
Has there been a rate increase? Yes. As a part of the
2015 -2016 budget, the City increased storm drain
rates in order to address much - needed improve-
ments to our storm drain system and ensure com-
pliance with State and Federal regulations.
Do otherjurisdictions have storm drain bills? In addi-
tion to Tukwila, most jurisdictions in King County
have SSWM charges, including Seattle, Bellevue,
Kent, Auburn, Renton and Issaquah. Take a look
at the chart on the back for comparison rates -
Tukwila's storm drain rates actually remain well
below many of our regional neighbors.
Do you have any other questions?
Please call Tukwila's Utility Billing Division at
206 - 433 -1849, or email Utility @TukwilaWA.gov.
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Tukwila's Storm and Surface Water System:
Keeping our Rivers and Streams Clean
5,000 catch basins and manholes
mot 140 miles of pipe connecting Tukwila's storm & surface water system
72 outfalls into the Green /Duwamish River
2 ponds (maintained by the City of Tukwila)
15 underground tanks and vaults
25 trash racks (keeping garbage out of the river & other water bodies)
5 surface water pump stations
15 creek under - crossings
1,466
216.5
1,570
520
21,300
12,415
2014 Accomplishments
catch basins & manholes cleaned, yielding
tons of solid waste contaminants removed
feet of ditches cleaned, which generated
yards of dirt removed and hauled to dump
feet of pipe inspected
feet of pipes jetted /invasive roots cut
70 tons of debris removed from Gilliam Creek
regional detention facility (stormwater storage)
500 feet of asphalt berms installed
100 percent of outfalls and vaults inspected
Additional and Enhanced
2015/2016 Funded Services
Improving habitat protection along
riverbanks in the City of Tukwila
Protecting the City from liability associated with new
and more rigorous State and Federal regulations
Allowing for proactive management of storm water
infrastructure, reducing costly emergency maintenance.
Our Annual Small Drainage Program has reduced
localized flooding throughout the City.
Expanding stormwater infrastructure
inspections to include private property
Improving water quality and reducing discharge
that harms the Green /Duwamish River and
Puget Sound; stormwater runoff is the
#1 pollution threat to the Puget Sound.
Visit: TukwilaWA.gov /PubWks /npdes.html
PugetSoundStartsHere. org
Comparison of Cities'
Single- family Surface Water Rates
as of January 2015
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2015 Rates
City
Monthly
Yearly
Seattle
(high: 10,000 SF)
$36.96
$443.55
Lynnwood
$20.20
$242.40
Auburn
$19.25
$231.00
Sammamish
$17.42
$209.00
Seattle
(low: 3,000 SF)
$16.57
$198.83
Redmond
(range, minimum shown)
$16.56
$198.72
Mercer Island
$15.14
$181.68
King County
$14.29
$171.50
Issaquah
$14.08
$168.96
Renton
$13.20
$158.40
Burien
$12.79
$153.45
Kent
$12.55
$150.64
TUKWILA WE ARE
HERE!
$11.83
$142.00
Seatac
$11.18
$134.15
Federal Way
$7.95
$95.37
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