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1. What is the stormwater drainage system and why is there a fee?

The stormwater drainage system collects, conveys, stores or otherwise affects stormwater or surface water. It can include a network of underground pipes, drainage ditches, culverts, and open channels designed for flood or drainage control which discharge to a receiving water body. The runoff contained within this system is not treated, so anything it picks up goes directly into the stream.

To maintain the stormwater drainage system all parcels within the corporate City limits are charged a stormwater user fee, excluding public streets. The fee is based on the classifications within the stormwater utility ordinance and billed to the resident's or business' existing utility bill.

The City of Goodlettsville's stormwater user fee is the result of an unfunded mandate from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) on stormwater discharges. This fee is used to finance annual compliance with this mandate.

2. Why has a stormwater utility fee been implemented?

Federal and state regulations require the City of Goodlettsville to address the amount and pollution carried by the runoff that is deposited into the local creeks and streams.  This runoff is untreated and water quality management programs the City has in place are responses to regulations from the US EPA and TDEC that are directly connected to the Clean Water Act.  These regulations require the city to obtain a permit under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and to create a comprehensive program to seek out and eliminate, to the maximum extent practical, pollutants carried by stormwater runoff.

3. Where does our money go for stormwater projects?

Money gathered through the stormwater utility fee goes towards better stormwater project management which includes drainage studies and drainage study project implementation, equipment purchase and maintenance, regulatory compliance, and more.

4. How often is the stormwater user fee/charge updated?

The fee is set by ordinance as adopted by the City's Board of Commissioners. The budget, expenditures, and revenues for the stormwater utility funds are examined on an annual basis in accordance with the budget process for the City.

5. If I disagree with the amount I am being charged, what do I do?

Contact the Utility Billing Clerk (615) 859-2740.

6. I am renting an apartment or house. Do I have to pay this charge?

Multi-tenant residential properties are billed the minimum charge, the same as the single family residential fee, if the apartment unit is individually metered. If the apartment complex is master metered, then the customer of record for the master meter is billed a stormwater user fee for the entire property.

Individuals or businesses which rent property receive billing for the stormwater user fee if the water and/or sewer meter is in the renter's name. Property owners are obligated to pay stormwater user fees. It will be up to the individual property owner and the renter to decide how to handle the assessed fee.

7. What are things that should never enter a storm drain? Examples include but are not limited to:

Oil, anti-freeze, paint, cleaning fluids

Wash water from a car wash or personal vehicle

Industrial discharges

Contaminated foundation drains

Wash waters from commercial/industrial activities

Sanitary sewer discharges

Washing machine discharges

Chlorinated or Salt backwash and draining associated with swimming pools

8. What things can enter a storm drain?

Discharges from emergency fire-fighting vehicles

Rising ground waters

Uncontaminated groundwater

Drinking water line flushing

Uncontaminated landscaping irrigation/irrigation water/lawn watering

Uncontaminated springs

Uncontaminated footing drains and pumps

Flows from riparian habitats and wetlands

Street wash waters resulting from normal street cleaning operations

Discharges within the constraints of (and allowed from) a NPDES permit from TDEC

Unlike wastewater, which is treated before it is released back into the environment, stormwater goes directly into a community’s streams and lakes.  Because stormwater comes in large amounts at unpredictable times, treating it as wastewater would be very expensive.  However, there are Best Management Practices (BMP) which can reduce the impact of stormwater.

9. Why is stormwater a problem?

When precipitation falls on undeveloped land, it is primarily absorbed into the ground or slowly runs off the land.  However, development results in rooftops, paved and concreted areas to be created which prevent water from being absorbed and it runs off at a much faster rate.  This causes quality and quantity issues in our local streams and water bodies.

10. What is the City's responsibility for stormwater?

The City is responsible for managing stormwater within its corporate city limits.  The City operates and maintains drainage facilities located within the public rights-of-way.  The City does not maintain facilities located on private property or that fall under the jurisdiction of other governmental agencies.

Other components of the program include (this is not a complete list of projects or items):

• Improved water quality through monitoring and reduction of illicit discharges and pollutants
• Public information and education
• Increased maintenance or repair of the city’s stormwater system
• Development of stormwater design standards and regulations
• Field inspections and enforcement
• Construction of identified drainage study projects

11. Why is this a stormwater fee and not a property tax increase?

Property taxes are based only on the assessed market value of a property without taking into consideration the contribution of stormwater runoff from a property.  Charges derived from property values are not fairly and equitably allocated to stormwater services.  A stormwater user fee is charged based upon the contribution of stormwater runoff to the City’s stormwater management system.  This is fairer and more equitable approach than charges based on overall property value.

12. I have a detention pond on my property. Will the utility be responsible for the maintenance of the pond?

No.  The maintenance of a retention or detention pond remains the responsibility of the property owner.

13. Are stormwater and sewer systems the same thing?

Stormwater and sewer systems are not the same thing.  Sewer systems carry waste that is treated before it re-enters the environment whereas stormwater runoff is not treated and drains directly into the local creeks and streams.

14. What is watershed?

A watershed is a geographical area which drains to a specified point on a water course, usually a confluence of streams or rivers (also known as a drainage area or river basin).

15. Why is it important to protect a watershed?

Protecting watersheds can prevent water quality problems such as pesticides found in local wells, fish population decline, polluted streams, creeks and rivers, no swimming signs on creeks and rivers, etc.