All properties with a DC Water bill are charged a DC Government Stormwater Fee based on the amount of impervious area (e.g. concrete, asphalt, or rooftops) on the property. This fee can be found on your DC Water bill under the line-item DC Govt Stormwater Fee.
The DC Government Stormwater Fee covers the District’s cost of managing and treating pollution in stormwater runoff. The funds are collected by DOEE, which is the entity responsible for managing stormwater pollution in the District.
How is the stormwater fee calculated?
The amount that ratepayers owe is based on their Billed ERUs, or Equivalent Residential Unit. ERUs are set by DC Water and are determined by the square footage of impervious area on your property. Learn more about DC Water’s Billed ERU rates.
A property’s DC Government Stormwater Fee is determined by multiplying the number of ERUs assessed on the property by the fee rate per billed ERU.
- FY 2027 DC Government Stormwater Fee rate = $4.03 per Billed ERU
- DC Government Stormwater Fee = Billed ERUs * Monthly Stormwater Fee ($4.03)
Single-family homes are grouped into ERU tiers based on impervious area:
Impervious Area (Square Feet) | Billed ERUs | Monthly DC Government Stormwater Fee (FY27) |
100–699 | 0.6 | $2.42 |
700–2,099 | 1.0 | $4.03 |
2,100–3,099 | 2.4 | $9.67 |
3,100–7,099 | 3.8 | $15.31 |
7,100–11,099 | 8.6 | $34.66 |
11,100 and more | 13.5 | $54.41 |
For all other properties, such as businesses and large multi-family properties, the stormwater fee is charged at a rate of $4.03 per month for each 1,000 square feet of impervious area on their lot, reduced to the nearest 100 square feet.
Why does the District charge a stormwater fee?
Stormwater enters storm drains from streets, buildings, parking lots, and driveways. Along the way, the stormwater runoff picks up trash and pollutants. Storm drains carry these pollutants to our local waterways, including the Rock Creek, Anacostia, and Potomac Rivers.
The federal government requires the District to control pollution from stormwater runoff through its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. The stormwater fee provides a dedicated funding source to pay for these pollution control efforts. This fee helps to fund stormwater management practices such as stream restoration, green roofs, rain gardens, tree plantings, street sweeping, and other activities that help to keep ourwaterways clean.
How does this fee relate to DC Water’s Impervious Area Charge?
The Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC) is collected by DC Water, a separate entity from DOEE, and used to fund DC Water's Clean Rivers Project.
Both fees are calculating through a property’s Billed ERU rate and relate to improving the District’s water quality. However, DOEE's DC Government Stormwater Fee and DC Water’s CRIAC address separate pollution control requirements. Find out more information about DC Water’s Impervious Area Charge.
How can I can reduce my stormwater fee?
The RiverSmart Rewards program provides residents with a discount on their DC Water bill for installing and maintaining green infrastructure on their property. Residents can receive up to 55% off DOEE’s Stormwater Fee and 20% off DC Water’s Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge. Learn more and sign up for RiverSmart Rewards.
If your household could benefit from financial assistance at this time, the CRIAC Residential Relief Program provides a discount on your DC Water bill’s CRIAC for households within certain income thresholds. The DC Water SPLASH Program, administered by the Greater Washington Urban League, applies funds to your DC Water bill to help maintain service. Front Door provides DC residents with information about housing resources they'reeligible for and how to apply for them.
How has the stormwater fee changed over time?
The DC Government Stormwater Fee was adopted in fiscal year 2009 through DC Government regulation 21 DCMR § 555.
Between 2010 and 2026, the stormwater fee was $2.67 per billed ERU per month. In FY2027, the DC Council increased the stormwater fee to $4.03 per billed ERU per month. This increase was intended to reflect the increased cost of managing stormwater pollution that the District has absorbed over the past 16 years.
The DC Government Stormwater Fee may continue to increase year to year. The District’s stormwater pollution control requirements are specified in a permit issued by EPA. DOEE continually reevaluates the projected implementation costs of these stormwater requirements to determine if available stormwater fee revenue is adequate. Should DOEE determine that the stormwater fee revenue will not meet the projected implementation costs of the stormwater permit, the Department will begin a rulemaking process involving public notice and hearings to increase the stormwater fee.