The City of Gig Harbor created its stormwater utility in 1984. Since then, the City has seen significant increases in population, development, stormwater infrastructure, and stormwater regulations. Beginning in 2007 the City was mandated to manage the City stormwater facilities under a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Department of Ecology. More recent stormwater regulations have created a mixture of regulations under which the City has managed stormwater between 1984 and today. Some of these mixtures of regulations have caused perceived stormwater rate inequalities between properties that have developed between 1984 and today.

Current stormwater utility costs and perceived rate inequalities were looked at in the Stormwater Revenue Study. Neighboring municipality storm rates were also reviewed as potential examples. Goals for the study included redefining EBUs (equivalent billing units), establishing new rates, redefining Single Family Resident (SFR), and removing discounts. 

The City's current stormwater utility policy and rate structure can be found in the Gig Harbor Municipal Code here:

Chapter 14.00 STORM DRAINAGE UTILITY -- CREATION AND PURPOSE (codepublishing.com)

Chapter 14.10 STORM DRAINAGE BILLING POLICY AND COLLECTION (codepublishing.com)

View the Gig Harbor Stormwater Story Map and learn more about stormwater in our community.

Watch the Virtual Open House

The City held two open house forums to hear from residents and commercial businesses on the following topics: current stormwater utility costs, new rates, defining SFR (Single Family Residences), EBU’s (equivalent billing units), discounts and perceived rate inequalities.

A recording of the September 16 open house can be viewed on the City's YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/GlWYnsXAtcc

The presentation material from the open house can be viewed here: Stormwater Utility Revenue Study