Understanding the Stormwater Utility Fee

What Is the Stormwater Utility Fee?

The stormwater fee is not a tax, but a user fee based on a property's impact on the stormwater system. Specifically, the amount of impervious surface on the parcel, which is measured by the square foot. Impervious surfaces include rooftops, driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, and other areas that prevent water from naturally soaking into the ground.

Why Was the Fee Increased?

In May 2024, after reviewing the results of a detailed rate study, the Covington City Council approved an increase in the stormwater utility fee from $3.00 per ERU to $5.25 per ERU. The increase was necessary to address funding deficits that have grown due to aging infrastructure and rising maintenance costs.

This marked the first fee adjustment in nearly 20 years. Over that time, the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading stormwater infrastructure have steadily increased, while the fee remained unchanged.
 

This decision was driven by:

• Escalating infrastructure repair costs
• Ongoing maintenance needs

The rate adjustment was necessary to ensure that the City can continue to meet current and future demands placed on its stormwater system without compromising service quality or delaying critical upgrades.

How Is the Square Footage of Impervious Surface on My Parcel Determined?

The square footage of impervious surface on your property is determined using aerial imagery and GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping technology. This technology allows the City to accurately measure surfaces that do not allow water to soak into the ground, such as:

• Roofs
• Driveways
• Sidewalks and walkways
• Patios and decks
• Parking areas
• Outbuildings and other hard surfaces

The City uses high-resolution aerial photography and parcel boundary data to outline and calculate the total impervious area on each property. This data is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect property changes, such as new construction, additions, or demolitions.

What Is an ERU?

To ensure fairness, Covington uses a standardized unit of measure called an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU).

An ERU represents the median impervious surface area of a single-family residential property in Covington, which is 2,600 square feet.

How Is the Fee Calculated?

The annual stormwater fee is calculated using the following formula:

To determine the correct ERU for a specific parcel, the square foot of impervious area on the parcel is divided by the median ERU (2600). That number is then multiplied by the monthly fee of $5.25 per ERU and then multiplied by 12 to achieve the cost of the annual bill as shown in the equation below:

(Impervious Area in sq ft ÷ 2,600) × $5.25/month × 12 months = Annual Stormwater Fee

For example, a property with 5065 square feet of impervious surface would be charged as follows:

• 5065 ÷ 2,600 = 1.94 - ERUs
• 1.94 × $5.25 × 12 = $122.22 – Total annual fee

This fee structure ensures that each property pays its fair share based on its contribution to stormwater runoff and demand on the City’s infrastructure.

Why Is This Important?

Stormwater management is essential to:

• Prevent flooding and property damage
• Protect water quality in local streams and rivers
• Meet state and federal environmental regulations
• Maintain and improve stormwater pipes, ditches, culverts, and detention facilities

As urban development increases, so does the need for effective stormwater management. These fees allow the City to plan and fund long-term solutions that benefit the entire community.

Who Benefits from the Stormwater Utility?

It’s important to understand that not every property will receive a direct or visible benefit, such as new drainage pipes or flood prevention structures installed on their specific parcel. However, all properties receive an indirect benefit from the City’s comprehensive stormwater management program.

Indirect benefits include:

• Safer roads and public areas due to reduced flooding
• Cleaner waterways through pollution prevention and erosion control
• Compliance with state and federal regulations, protecting the community from legal and financial penalties
• Sustained property values by preserving infrastructure and minimizing damage risk
• Improved quality of life through maintenance of green spaces and local ecosystems

Stormwater doesn’t follow property lines—it moves across neighborhoods, streets, and public systems. When one area is overwhelmed or unmanaged, it can impact many others downstream. That’s why the stormwater utility fee is structured as a shared investment in a citywide system, ensuring that the entire community benefits—both directly and indirectly.

Questions?

If you have questions about your stormwater bill or would like help understanding how your property’s impervious area was calculated, please contact the City of Covington Engineering Department at engineering@cityofcovington.org.