Stormwater finance - HOW DO WE PAY FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Like other public health and safety services we value such as police and fire departments, funding is often necessary to create and maintain green infrastructure such as rain gardens, green roofs, and bioretention areas. These projects help reduce pollution from stormwater and add value to the community. 

Here are a few ways communities invest in stormwater management at the local level:

•  Utility fees: Similar to the fees you may pay for water, sewer, and garbage removal, you may see a stormwater utility fee on your tax or water bill to collect essential funds that are needed to manage stormwater where you live. 
• Municipal bonds: Just as they do for schools and other local improvement projects, your local government could levy a bond to pay for stormwater projects that benefit the whole community. 
• Public funds: Federal and state governments have many funding options for stormwater projects.
•  Private property improvements: When businesses and institutions in your area invest in green roofs, permeable paving in parking lots, and other stormwater management measures, everyone benefits. Support these solutions and be stormwater smart for a better community.

Many local city and state governments have less resources due to the impacted economy. This may defer these important water projects altogether. In anticipation of this (and in recognizing that another goal for this project is to convince several cities to adopt such measures), 7GA dedicated another tab on the database to highlight various ideas for municipalities to fund their projects. These solutions are creative, proven methods of funding. This toolkit will hopefully help jurisdictions get to their solutions quickly instead of needing to spend time and resources on which project is the best and how they can fund it. On the database or below, you will find various examples of financial support of stormwater projects such as:

• Programs developed from Measures
• Propositions
• Transportation Agencies
• Cities and City Programs
• Counties and County Programs
• States and State Programs
• Federal Programs
• Utility Companies
• Private Sector
• Foundations