The Storm Water Utility was developed to provide a more accurate way of charging customers for Storm Water Management services. The Storm Water Utility Fee divides storm water fees fairly among owners of developed and undeveloped properties. That way, each property owner only pays for the estimated storm water demand that each property would place on the City’s systems. The fund is used for Capital Improvement Projects that help improve the overall storm water drainage system. The fund is also used for the operation, maintenance and administration of the utility. All the residents of The Colony benefit from the services provided by the fund.
Fees
The fees established are based on the calculation of the inventory of lots and tracts within the service area, having taken into consideration the size and impervious area on the benefited property. Residential properties are charged a set fixed fee. Commercial properties are charged based on the total impervious area added by their development. They are charged based on the number of Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) as determined by the square footage of impervious area added to their property. One ERU is equal to the storm water discharge from 3,406 square feet of impervious area. The City has adopted the following rates:
- Each Residential single-family unit, town home, duplex, or manufactured home - $ 4.00 per utility account
- Each multifamily or nonresidential unit - $ 5.00 per ERU
- 1ERU = 3,406 square feet of Impervious Area
Storm Water Utility Fees in Different Texas Cities
Freese and Nichols performed an independent study to compare how Storm Water Utility fees vary in different cities in Texas. They have allowed the City of The Colony to use the results of their study to demonstrate how our Storm Water Utility fees compare in relation to other cities in Texas. Comparisons to various Texas cities are provided in the first chart below and comparisons to other small cities located in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex are provided in the second chart below for general informational purposes only.
