Stormwater Utility

The stormwater fee is based on the total square footage of impervious area on each property/parcel.

Fees are expressed in Equivalent Runoff Units (ERU) . One ERU is equal to 3,300 square feet of impervious area, which is the average for a single family residential property in the Village.

Downers Grove has had a stormwater utility since 2013. In this model, stormwater management costs are shifted from the property tax levy to a separate stormwater fund. The stormwater fee covers the cost of future capital projects, debt service related to those projects, as well as operational and maintenance costs.

All property owners in Downers Grove are charged a monthly stormwater fee. [The fee does not apply to unincorporated Downers Grove parcels or tax-exempt organizations.]

Revenues generated by the fee will be allocated to the maintenance and operating costs of the stormwater infrastructure system, which consists of:

• Approximately 7,000 drainage structures
• 315 stormwater detention facilities
• 130 miles of storm sewer pipes
• 12 miles of streams
• 140 miles of roadway ditches
• 47,000 feet of culverts. 

Single Family Residential

Single Family Residential parcels are charged based on a tiered system:

• Tier 1 ( 1 - 2,500 s.f. of impervious area) = 0.75 ERU =  $11.95
• Tier 2 (2,501 - 4,000 s.f. of impervious area) = 1.00 ERU =  $15.93
• Tier 3 (4,001 - 7,000 s.f. of impervious area) = 1.50 ERU =  $23.90

Non-Single Family Residential

Non-Single Family Residential parcels and Residential Parcels with greater than 7,000 s.f. of impervious area are charged based on the actual amount of impervious area, measured in ERUs, rounded to the next whole ERU. 

Per ERU (3,300 s.f. ) = $15.93

Vacant (unimproved) Parcels

Vacant parcels are charged 0.3 ERUs.

0.3 ERU = $4.78

An impervious surface is any area on a parcel/property which prevents or significantly impedes the infiltration of stormwater into the soil. Examples of impervious surfaces include:

• Parking lots
• Roofs
• Driveways
• Patios
• Decks
• Swimming pools
• Gravel and stone areas

An incentive is a one-time reduction in the stormwater utility fee, applied to a customer's account balance. It is offered to assist property owners with the cost of making qualifying stormwater improvements to a property. Examples and eligible incentive amounts are below:

• Rain barrels $25/property
• Rain gardens $300/property
• Permeable pavers $300/property
• Other projects: up to $250 /property

Examples are outlined in the Stormwater Credit and Incentive Manual.

A credit is an ongoing reduction in the amount of stormwater fees assessed to a parcel in recognition of on-site systems, facilities, or other actions taken to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff.

See the Stormwater Credit and Incentive Manual. 

Decisions affecting stormwater fees including the classification of the parcel, the amount of impervious area, the calculation of the stormwater utility fee, and granting of credits and incentives will be made by the Village's stormwater administrator.

These decisions may be appealed by submitting a written request to the Village Manager. Parcel owners may further appeal the decision of the Village Manager by submitting an application to the Stormwater & Floodplain Oversight Committee. Decisions by the Stormwater & Floodplain Oversight Committee are final.

The monthly stormwater fee appears on the same bi-monthly Utility Bill. Property owners and tenants are jointly responsible for paying the bills.

Utility bill payments will be applied toward the stormwater utility fee first, then to any water charges.

Outstanding utility bill balances that remain unpaid for 45 days may result in the shut-off of water service. The Village may also place a lien against the property.

For further information about reading your utility bill, here is a resource: Understanding Your Utility Bill