Huntsville Implements New Drainage Fee to Support Citywide Drainage Infrastructure Maintenance
The City of Huntsville will soon begin including a new drainage fee on all utility bills as part of an initiative to improve and manage the city’s drainage infrastructure. The fee, approved by the City Council during the Oct. 1 meeting, will apply to both residential and non-residential properties.
Residential property owners will be assessed a flat rate of $5.00 per month. Non-residential property owners, including businesses, will have their fee calculated based on the impervious surface area on their property. The fee is calculated using the formula: square footage of impervious area multiplied by $0.00152 per month.
Properties owned by school districts, religious organizations, and Walker County will be charged at a reduced rate, calculated by multiplying their impervious area by $0.00076 per month.
The introduction of the drainage fee comes as part of Huntsville’s effort to better manage stormwater runoff and maintain drainage infrastructure across the city. This system allows residents and businesses to contribute to the cost of improving and sustaining the city’s drainage systems, which are essential to preventing flooding and other water-related issues.
The fee will be reflected in utility bills moving forward.
