August 01, 2019Local GovernmentPrivate BusinessProperty OwnersIncentivesStormwater

Stormwater Credits

By WSU EFC

Credits are given to property owners who reduce their property鈥檚 stormwater runoff. Some programs allow credits to be sold or traded to other property owners.

About

Stormwater Credits are financial incentives, given to property owners (private, nonprofit or business), to reduce stormwater runoff from their property. A stormwater credit program gives reductions in stormwater charges for reducing a property鈥檚 demand on the stormwater system.

Typically, stormwater credits are earned through the installation of green infrastructure like bioretention, rain gardens, permeable pavement, green roofs, cisterns, etc.

A stormwater credit program can also allow trading and selling credits to those who are unable or unwilling to install stormwater reduction on their property. This gives everyone the ability to financially contribute to a better stormwater system, which ultimately reduces their flood risk and improves local water quality.

Stormwater credit programs enhance the perception of 鈥渦ser fees鈥� because they recognize stormwater reduction actions, and gives homeowners and businesses voluntary control over their fees ().

A Stormwater Credit program can be implemented by a municipality to generate dedicated revenue to develop and implement stormwater projects that meet community development, flood reduction and sustainability goals.

As a dedicated funding source, stormwater credits do not compete with other community priorities. With a reliable and dedicated funding source it is easier to develop long-term stormwater plans, to integrate stormwater projects into the capital improvement plan, and meet regulatory compliance on structures and discharge.

 Project Examples

City of Chattanooga, TNWater Quality Program Credits & Incentives Manual

provides stormwater credits to non-residential parcels only. Credits coordinate with the MS4 performance standards, and credits are offered for exceeding the specified volume standard. Earned credits can be used or sold on the 鈥渙pen market.鈥� Credits can be used on new development if they are within the same watershed where they were earned. Credits on redevelopment can be used in any watershed. To apply the credit coupon, the developer may demonstrate hardship meeting basic standard. The City does not track trades, only who gets and redeems them.

City of Toledo, OHStormwater Utility Credit Program

Non-residential property owners in Toledo are able to reduce their stormwater charges by up to 50% through stormwater runoff reduction practices like detention ponds, grass swales, etc. 鈥淪tormwater credits are offered as an incentive for being good stewards of the City of Toledo stormwater resources.鈥�

City of Portland, ORClean River Rewards
gives residential and commercial property owners the opportunity for reduced stormwater fees (up to 100% of the on-site stormwater charge). 

More Info/Resources

Consult your community鈥檚 attorney and financial advisors prior to moving forward with any of these funding options. Any reference in this website to any person, or organization, or activities, products, or services related to such person or organization, or any linkages from this website to the website of another party, do not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of companies or organizations.