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1. Will revenue from the drainage fee be used to stop flooding?

Yes. Many of the drainage projects that are needed will help reduce the factors that contribute to flooding problems that occur at many road crossings within the city limits.

2. Should I verify my drainage fee rate block?

Yes. Residential customers can and should verify their rate block, which will be in the detail portion of their utility bill.

3. Can I request a review of my drainage fee rate block?

Yes. Review Request forms are available both at Customer Service locations and or you may download a copy by clicking here. Customers requesting a review of their rate block must fill out the form and obtain their datasheet from the Denton Central Appraisal District, which shows the square footage of the ground surface of their home. Upon receipt of this form, the information will be reviewed and, if changes are needed, they will be made and implemented within 60 days. If a customer has added or eliminated square footage (e.g. added or removed an out building), the City will work with the customer to ensure that it is considered in the rate determination.

4. Is this a tax?

No. If the charge were a tax, government, non-profit, and other similar organizations would not have to pay. The charge is assessed on all impervious surfaces within the city.

5. How was the amount of the fee decided?

City staff used a combination of data sources to determine the total amount of impervious coverage in the city for the various classes (residential, commercial, government, etc.). The total square footage was then divided by the yearly program cost to get the cost per square foot. Residential customers were placed in several classes based on the total impervious coverage at their residences. Commercial customers were assessed a rate according to their total impervious coverage.

6. Will paying this charge lower my water/wastewater bill?

No. The storm water drainage system and the wastewater system are completely separate. The storm water drainage network of ditches, streams, and underground pipes carries away runoff water from storms and also from hoses and sprinklers. This water goes directly back to rivers, lakes, and streams without being treated. The wastewater sewer system takes water which goes down the drains inside your house or business. This water from sinks, toilets, washing machines, etc. is collected and sent to the Pecan Creek Water Reclamation Plant and is filtered and treated before it is discharged.

7. Is Denton's runoff really a pollution concern?

Yes. All of the runoff that occurs in Denton flows into Lake Lewisville, which is our primary source of water and that of many Metroplex cities. We are located in the Trinity River Watershed, which includes 17,965 square miles, or approximately six percent of the state's landmass. The Trinity River serves as a primary water supply to more than 5 million people in the upper basin centered around the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area.

8. What are impervious surfaces?

Impervious surfaces are mainly constructed areas (rooftops, sidewalks, roads, and parking lots) covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete, brick, and stone. These materials seal surfaces, repel water, and prevent precipitation from infiltrating soils. Soils compacted by urban development are also highly impervious. Everyone contributes to impervious coverage. As communities develop, the amount of impervious coverage increases. These surfaces concentrate and increase the flow of storm water within a community or region. This increases the potential for flooding and is a major factor in the degradation of water quality.

9. What is storm water pollution?

Storm water pollution is the untreated contaminated water that drains off rooftops, yards, and streets flowing into the storm water drainage system. Pollutants are picked up as water (from rain, hoses, sprinklers, etc.) drains from streets, parking lots, and lawns and enters catch basins throughout the City. Any pesticides, petrochemicals, heavy metals, or other materials that are on these impervious surfaces have the potential of being washed into the drainage system. From there, the storm water flows through a system of pipes and open channels into streams and eventually into Lake Lewisville