General Overview

Q1: What is a stormwater utility?
 A stormwater utility is a funding mechanism to manage and improve the community’s stormwater infrastructure. Similar to water or electric utilities, it charges property owners a fee based on site specific impacts.  In the case of stormwater, the fee is assessed based on the amount of impervious cover (hard surface) present on the property.  This indirectly translates to an amount of stormwater runoff each property generates.

Q2: Why is the Town implementing this utility now?
The Town is facing increasing costs to maintain aging infrastructure, meet state and federal environmental regulations, and reduce flooding and pollution. A stormwater utility provides a fair and sustainable way to fund these efforts. 

Unexpected stormwater expenses are straining the Town’s ability to maintain other core services—such as roads, sidewalks, and water/sewer systems. By establishing this utility, the Town can proactively plan, budget, and invest in long-term stormwater improvements, reducing costly emergency responses.

• Examples of stormwater infrastructure: Culverts, drains, dams, catch basins.
• Examples of regulations: EPA’s MS4 Stormwater Permit

Billing and Fees

Q3: How is the stormwater fee calculated?
 The fee is based on the amount of impervious surface on your property—such as rooftops, driveways, and patios—which prevents water from directly soaking into the ground, changing its quality and increasing runoff.

Q4: What is an impervious surface?
 Any material or structure on, below or above the ground that prevents water from naturally infiltrating the underlying soil. Impervious surfaces include roads, sidewalks, paved parking lots, driveways, rooftops, buildings or structures, artificial turf, compacted gravel or soil traveled ways, and other surfaces which prevent or impede the natural infiltration of stormwater runoff which existed prior to development.

Q5: How much will I be charged?
 Charges are based on the square footage of impervious surface on your property.

You can also check the preliminary fees associated with your property at: Stormwater Fee Explorer

A summary of fees can also be found at: Summary of Fees

Q6: Where does this charge appear on my bill?
 It will appear on the Town’s monthly municipal Utility Bill as a separate line item labeled “Stormwater Fee”.

Customer Concerns

Q7: I’ve never had drainage issues. Why should I pay? Why do I have to pay a fee if I take care of stormwater on my property?               Fees collected from stormwater utility go into a dedicated fund to pay specifically for the work of operating, maintaining, and improving the Town’s public stormwater infrastructure. The impervious area calculation is the measurement tool used to determine the fee, similar to how a water meter is used to calculate a water bill. Everyone benefits from properly maintained stormwater infrastructure throughout the Town, including culverts, catch basins, and stormwater conveyance pipes, which help prevent flooding and ensure safe travel on roads. The stormwater utility ensures these systems are properly maintained and that all property owners contribute their fair share.

Q8: My property is mostly lawn. Why was I charged?
 Only the impervious surfaces area within your property are considered when calculating your fee. Lawns and gardens are previous and are not factored into your stormwater fee. The assessment of impervious cover is based on aerial imagery and data generated from Town maintained Geographic Information System (GIS).

Q9: Can I appeal the fee I was charged?
Yes. Property owners may submit a request for review if they believe there is an error in the basis of their assessment. To do so, complete the application for abatement or adjustment. Stormwater Bill Abatement Application can be found on the Concord Stormwater Utility webpage or here: Bill Abatement Application 

Q10: Is there any way to reduce my fee?
Yes. Concord offers stormwater utility credits for stormwater management practices adopted within private property that will mitigate impacts including the installation and properly maintained rain gardens, permeable pavement, dry wells.

Specific criteria must be met including the existence of an on-site stormwater management system and documented maintenance of the system.

For more information on available credits and abatements, please refer to the approved credit policy on the Concord Stormwater Utility webpage or here Approved Credit Policy

Credit application is available on the stormwater utility webpage. Credit Application 

To find out if your property qualifies, please contact Engineering Department at stormwater@concordma.gov

Q11: How can you determine the impact on the fee if you increase or decrease impervious areas?                                                              Measure your new total impervious area in square feet and check the fee structure table shown on Q5 to determine which tier your property falls under to see the fees associated with your property. 

Legal and Environmental Background

Q12: Is this a tax?
 No. It is a utility fee, similar to your water or electric bill. It directly funds the stormwater system and related services. The funds raised go into a dedicated Enterprise Fund that can only be used for stormwater management.

Q13: What does the stormwater fee pay for?
 The revenue supports storm drain maintenance, street sweeping, erosion control, public education, and compliance with environmental regulations such as the EPA’s MS4 permit.

Q14: Is this required by law?
 Yes. The Town is required to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act and state stormwater regulations, which include managing and reducing runoff pollution. In addition, in 2024, Concord Town Meeting passed an enabling bylaw establishing this Stormwater Enterprise.