In an effort to provide comprehensive and efficient stormwater service, MSD management proposed to the MSD Rate Commission a change in the stormwater user charge issued to the property owners in the metropolitan area.

Since 1985, a stormwater user charge of $.24 was included in the bill calculation to each account, regardless of the type of property--residential, multi-family or commercial. The revenue generated from this nominal fee was insufficient to maintain and provide stormwater collection systems in the District. 

In addition to a stormwater user charge included on the MSD bill, some taxing districts elected over the years to include an OMCI tax associated to their Real Estate Tax and Personal Property Tax. With the implementation of the stormwater user charge based on impervious area, the OMCI taxes will be removed from tax bills issued in 2008.

To improve the services provided and to expand the stormwater collection systems, a funding mechanism was proposed using a more fairly-based stormwater user charge. The proposal was for each property to be billed a stormwater user charge based on the impervious square footage on that parcel.

The proposal for the Stormwater User Charge was presented to the MSD Rate Commission in April 2007 and approved by the commission in August 2007. Ordinance 12560, which outlines the charge, was proposed to the MSD Board of Trustees in September 2007 and approved December 13, 2007. 

Aerial imagery is used to identify the impervious area on each piece of ground, and the boundaries of each parcel are defined by maps and other information from the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County. Property locator numbers from Assessors Offices are matched to an MSD account for billing purposes.

Measurements are taken on eleven specific impervious items:

• Bridges, driveways, outbuildings, parking, patios, private sidewalks, recreation courts, sheds, structures, tanks, and private roads

Aerial photography is conducted every two years and is used to update every customer's impervious area determination. The most recent aerial photography was completed in 2007. Effective January 1, 2009, updated impervious areas based on data from the 2007 photography will be used in calculating stormwater user charges.

All properties with a minimum impervious area will be issued a Stormwater User Charge. For most customers, the stormwater user charge will be listed with the Wastewater User Charge on the monthly bill.

If a property does not have a water service line or the water service line is inactive -- the monthly bill will be for stormwater user charges only. For example, a parking lot or a building with discontinued water service would be billed for stormwater user charges only.

In some cases, the MSD bill may be for Wastewater Charges only:

• For example, if a condominium unit has a water line that serves only the single unit, an MSD bill for wastewater charges would be issued to the unit owner. 
• The unit owner's bill may or may not include a stormwater user charge. 
• The stormwater user charge may be issued to the condominium association for the impervious area in the entire complex if multiple condominium units are under one roof or if the complex includes common ground.

Properties directly adjacent to the Mississippi, Missouri or Meramec rivers -- If the stormwater runs off the property directly to one of these rivers a stormwater credit may be available. The customer can contact the MSD Call Center to submit a request for a Stormwater Credit. The information will be forwarded to the appropriate department for consideration. If it is determined the stormwater flows directly to the river, future stormwater user charges will be reduced by a maximum of 50%.

Properties that are part of a levee district -- These property owners pay taxes to the levee district for stormwater system maintenance. Under an inter-governmental agreement, MSD will submit a monthly bill to the levee district for the stormwater user charges on the impervious areas within that levee district. The charges will be heavily discounted because the majority of the stormwater system maintenance falls to the levee district and is not provided by MSD.

An appeal process has been developed for customer concerns regarding the impervious area listed on your MSD bill:

• Contact MSD to initiate the appeal. Our Call Center number is 1-866-281-5737.
• We will review the impervious area identified for the property. If we find errors of measurement, we will correct them and notify you.
• If no error is found, an appeal form will be mailed to you. Complete this and return it to us for further review.
• We will notify you of the decision and, if the review results in a change to the impervious area, correct your account.
• If you disagree with the decision, you may send a formal letter of appeal for further consideration.

Remember, all unpaid MSD charges are subject to a 1.5% late fee if not paid by the due date on the bill. If a property has the water service inactivated and is billed for stormwater charges only, but there is an unpaid balance comprised of delinquent wastewater charges, the entire balance is subject to late charges.

• Billing FAQ