Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that doesn't soak into the ground but instead flows over the ground surface, roads, parking lots, and other paved surfaces, eventually reaching streams, rivers, and lakes.

Stormwater fees and wastewater fees are separate charges that support different aspects of a city's water management infrastructure. The distinction between the two mainly lies in what they are designed to cover.

Stormwater Fees: These are typically used to fund the management and maintenance of a city's stormwater infrastructure. Stormwater systems handle rainwater runoff from roads, rooftops, and other impervious surfaces to prevent flooding, reduce erosion, and protect water quality. The fees might go towards things like storm drain maintenance, street sweeping, flood management projects, and initiatives to improve the quality of stormwater runoff before it reaches local water bodies.

Wastewater Fees: Wastewater fees, sometimes referred to as sewer fees, are used to cover the costs of collecting, treating, and disposing of sewage (domestic and industrial wastewater). This process includes the collection of wastewater from homes and businesses, its treatment at wastewater treatment facilities to remove contaminants and pathogens, and the discharge of the treated water back into the environment in a manner that meets regulatory standards. Find out more about wastewater here.

So, while both fees are related to water management, storm water fees are specifically for managing rainwater runoff and preventing flooding and pollution, while wastewater fees are for managing and treating sewage to protect public health and the environment.

Uncontrolled stormwater can lead to flooding and erosion. Also, as it flows, stormwater picks up and carries various pollutants (like oils, pesticides, and litter) into natural water bodies, which can harm aquatic life and degrade water quality.