Question 11. What is an ERU?

Answer 11. An “Equivalent Residential Unit”, or ERU, is a common billing unit for stormwater utility fees. An ERU is a measure of the average amount of impervious surface area for a single-family residential property located in the county and can be used to assess stormwater user fees. Much like a “kilowatt” serves as the basis for electrical utility, the ERU is the base unit for a stormwater utility. Many communities have established stormwater utilities based on the ERU.

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1. Question 1. What is a stormwater utility?
2. Question 2. Why do we need a Stormwater Utility?
3. Question 3. What is the concern about stormwater quality?
4. Question 4. How is stormwater affected by increased pollutants?
5. Question 5. What is an impervious surface?
6. Question 6. What are some examples of drainage problems?
7. Question 7. Why do we need to spend more for stormwater?
8. Question 8. How is stormwater affected by increased runoff?
9. Question 9. Doesn't stormwater runoff go into the sanitary sewer?
10. Question 10. How do we establish the user fees?
11. Question 11. What is an ERU?
12. Question 12. Do tax exempt properties have to contribute?
13. Question 13. Are there any properties that are excluded from this fee?
14. Question 14. My property is not connected to the County's drainage system. Why should I have to pay?
15. Question 15. Why do I have to pay when I do not have any drainage problems?
16. Question 16. Do I have to pay for any unoccupied developed properties that I own?
17. Question 17. I am a renter; do I pay the fee or does my landlord?
18. Question 18. What services are funded by money collected from the Stormwater Utility fee?
19. Question 19. Will the stormwater user fee be offset by a reduction in the tax collected for the general fund?
20. Question 20. How are stormwater and runoff “managed”?
21. Question 21. Can I deduct the storm water fee on my taxes?
22. Question 22. How do I report a stormwater problem (drainage, flooding, pollution, etc.) or to ask questions about the Stormwater Utility?