Stormwater Utility Fee Doubling Approved In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Saturday, Alexandria City Council unanimously voted to double the stormwater utility fee.

The stormwater utility fee, currently set at $140 per billing unit, is scheduled to increase in two steps: to $210 in June 2021 and to $280 in November 2021. First adopted in 2017, the fee provides dedicated funding for the city's stormwater management program to address impacts of stormwater pollution and flooding. However, a larger portion of funds have gone to stormwater quality initiatives to meet state and federal mandates than stormwater capacity initiatives.

The fee increase was recommended by the Interdepartmental Strike Team Flooding Management Task Force created in response to flooding events on July 8, 2019; July 23, 2020; and Sept. 2, 2020. The task force recommended the fee increase to help accelerate stormwater capacity projects and maintenance. An accelerated timeline for projects is part of the new 10-year Capital Improvement Program proposed by City Manager Mark Jinks.

According to a memo on the stormwater utility fee increase, the increased fee could bring in an additional $14.8 million in funds this calendar year.

With the approval, City Council also directed city staff to bring back an amendment to revise a section of the city code defining the purpose of the fee to reflect a greater focus on flooding. That came as a result of ongoing discussions between Alexandria resident Katie Waynick and Mayor Justin Wilson.

In testimony to City Council on Saturday, Waynick said City Council should "capture the reason for such a dramatic increase" by updating the city code to account for the new scope and urgency around the storm infrastructure in relation to flooding and sewer backups. She believes residents need future assurances that the city will make meaningful steps to address flooding issues, especially given the stormwater utility fee has largely addressed water quality initiatives more than capacity initiatives.

"Many myself included were surprised to learn that the fee was created primarily to address water quality mandates associated with the Clean Water Act," said Waynick. "Very little funding if any seemed to be allocated to address the flooding as a result of insufficient and crumbling infrastructure."

Before the vote on the fee increase, Del Ray residents on Hume Avenue spoke about the flooding they've experienced and desire for progress to prevent future flooding issues. Some expressed concerns about the possibility of more flooding in the upcoming summer.

Natalie Engel told City Council she doesn't oppose the increase but is concerned about the timeline to address stormwater capacity issues. She noted her home on Hume Avenue isn't usually prone to flooding, but the July 23, 2020 rainstorm flooded her basement and caused extensive damage.

That led to her family relocating for six months, spending $10,000 on Airbnb while repairs were being conducted. The family also spent tens of thousands on water damage mitigation due to the July and September flooding, waterproofing, installation of a sump pump and backflow preventer, and renovation of the basement. This month marks the first full month her family has been home in Alexandria after the July flooding.

"I appreciate that the city has put a plan to create for long overdue infrastructure repairs, and I do not oppose an increase in stormwater fees in principle, but I am concerned about the schedule, both for repairs affecting Hume and across Del Ray," Engel said. "I am extremely nervous about the upcoming summer knowing that no measures have been put in place by the city to prepare for it on Hume, and that none will be enacted before the rainy season gets underway."

Fellow Hume Avenue resident Allison Scates wants to see immediate improvements after her house flooded in July and September 2020. She told City Council that sewer water came through the drain and water from the alley, leading to cleanup and renovations in the basement twice and her immediate neighbor's car being totaled. She spent $7,000 for backflow and new sump pump since her old sump pump was not able to handle the amount of water coming in.

"It kind of puts you in a constant state of fear because whenever it rains you don't know...is my basement going to flood again?" Scates told City Council.

Daniel Alderman, who lives on Hume Avenue, urged City Council to increase the fee and give immediate assistance to Hume Avenue. He noted that his car was totaled as a result of the July 2020 flooding event.

"Today we still worry that my own car or another can be lost in any given heavy precipitation, and so we rush out to tell neighbors to move or visitors that might be there," said Alderman. "So we're just looking forward to a day when stormwater improvements will prevent residents on Hume Avenue from having to worry about storms washing away more cars and significantly damaging homes."

Jessica Cummings asked City Council to continue to find ways to accelerate spot projects as they work on the 10-year stormwater infrastructure plan.

"Simply increasing the size of our existing stormwater curb inlets is an easy and relatively simple achievable goal that the city can prioritize...that would really provide immediate relief to our homes on Hume Avenue," said Cummings.

Yon Lambert, director of Alexandria's Transportation and Environmental Services, confirmed Hume Avenue is scheduled for spot improvements in fiscal year 2022.

The stormwater utility fee is billed to property owners on real estate tax bills due in June and November. The fee is based on a property’s impervious area, also known as hard surfaces such as roofs and driveways that don't let runoff into the ground and generate stormwater runoff. The typical single-family home is classified as a billing unit, and smaller properties like condominiums and townhouse pay a fraction of the billing unit.