Stormwater Management

The Stormwater Management Utility (SMU) is a fee-based program established to ensure that the City has a dedicated funding source to properly plan, construct, operate and maintain its stormwater management system.  The City's SMU was developed and implemented in 1989 and is billed through Gainesville Regional Utilities, the city-owned utility to all developed properties within the City of Gainesville that contribute stormwater runoff to the City's stormwater management system.

A portion of the SMU funds are set aside for capital improvements needed for the the stormwater management system to comply with the Clean Water Act.  The City of Gainesville, Alachua County and the Florida Department of Transportation have partnered to develop the Clean Water Partnership that assists each agency to comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements of our municipal stormwater systems.

SMU Fees

Fees are assessed as follows:

  • All residential properties are charged a fixed monthly rate.
  • Single Family Detached - 1 ERU
  • Duplex Units - 1 ERU per dwelling unit
  • Condominium Units - 1 ERU per dwelling unit
  • Apartments - 0.6 ERU per dwelling unit
  • Mobile Homes - 0.6 ERU per dwelling unit
  • Non-residential properties are assessed according to the amount of impervious area on the property.
  • The number of ERU's billed is determined by dividing the impervious area by 2,300 square feet.

How are the fees used?

  • Sustain program activities
  • Maintain stormwater conveyance systems
  • Regulate development of land
  • Suppress mosquito problems
  • Expand stormwater system effectiveness

 

Contact Info

Phone

 

Contact Form

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Benefits

  • Decreased frequency of street ponding and flooding
  • Reduced erosion in streams, and ditches
  • Improved mosquito control
  • Cleaner water in our streams, lakes, and Floridan aquifer
  • Discounted Flood Insurance rates 
  • Generally higher property values

 

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