City’s Stormwater Credit Program accepting applications

April 25, 2025

Contact: Alan Pugh

Staff Engineer

Engineering Department

479-575-8208

City's Stormwater Credit Program accepting applications
Stormwater utility fee collections start in August

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Fayetteville property owners and businesses may choose to apply for the City of Fayetteville's Stormwater Credit Program, which provides an opportunity for eligible projects that could reduce monthly stormwater utility fees.

To fund a more sustainable and holistic approach to stormwater management, in December 2024 Fayetteville City Council adopted a stormwater utility fee that will go into effect in August. Similar to the City's sewer utility fee, the stormwater utility fee will be included in customers' monthly bill.

Flooding events in recent years have drawn attention to the need for drainage improvements in key parts of Fayetteville, as well as a proactive maintenance and replacement plan for drainage infrastructure. The Stormwater Utility Program, funded by the fee, supports the City's stormwater management goals and will improve our water quality.

The stormwater utility fee is based on a property's impervious area, which was determined to be the most equitable way to collect fees, as it directly relates to the impact of properties on the stormwater system. Properties with larger amounts of impervious area have a greater impact on the stormwater system and will be billed at a higher rate.

Through the Stormwater Credit Program, customers may qualify for renewable credits to offset the stormwater utility fee by taking actions on their property that manage stormwater - which would otherwise flow from their property - and reduce the burden on the City's drainage system. Examples include installing bioswales, retention ponds and ribbon driveways.

To help residents understand how their new stormwater utility fee was calculated, a table showing the different fee tiers and an "estimate look up tool" have been added onto the Stormwater Utility Program webpage.

The page also includes details about the Stormwater Credit Program, as well as a way for residential customers to calculate impacts of various green stormwater practices they may wish to implement. The City is developing interactive tools and instructional videos to help residents understand these practices and provide accurate information within their application. Additionally, staff will be able to provide assistance through the credit application process.

For more information about the Stormwater Utility Program and Stormwater Credit Program, go to: https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/4436/Stormwater-Utility-Program.

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