Stormwater Drainage System Utility

On June 12, 2023, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 4882 which establishes a Stormwater Drainage System Utility and grants the City authority to collect user fees for stormwater drainage system services. These user fees would be used for the operation, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and improvement of the City’s stormwater drainage system in a manner that protects the public health, safety, and water quality. The Stormwater Drainage System Utility will function like the Wastewater, Water, and Sanitation utilities.

The City's Stormwater Drainage System Utility is modeled after the Lewiston User Fee Study adopted by City Council on April 25, 2022. The study is separated by section for easier viewing:

  1. Stormwater Fee Basis Rate Structure and Policy Memorandum (PDF)
  2. Stormwater Management Program Plan (PDF)
  3. Stormwater Program Funding Alternatives and Business Plan (PDF)

User Fee 

On August 8, 2023, the Stormwater Coordinator established the Stormwater Drainage System Utility Fee Structure & Credit Policy (PDF) which better individualizes the user fees of the currently adopted rate resolution based on property type, credit eligibility, and waiver eligibility. You can determine which Service Area your property resides in by entering your address in the interactive Stormwater Drainage System Utility Service Area Reference map.

On August 14, 2023, the City Council amended and approved Resolution 2023-43 to establish user fees for Stormwater Drainage System services. These user fees shall go into effect January 1, 2024.

On August 21, 2023, the City Council approved Resolution 2023-50 which reduced the "Service Area 2 Fee per ERU - Utility Assistance Program" rate by $0.01 in order to comply with the City's utility billing software requirements.

Resolution 2023-50

Description Fee
Service Area 1 fee per ERU$7.40
Service Area 1 fee per ERU – Utility Assistance Program$5.54
Service Area 2 fee per ERU$5.70
Service Area 2 fee per ERU – Utility Assistance Program$4.04


An overview of the estimated revenues and estimated expenses of the Stormwater Drainage System Utility are provided on slides 30 through 34 of the June 27, 2023 Public Works Department's Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Proposal presentation (PDF).

Ordinance No. 4894 (PDF), the "2024 Annual Appropriation Ordinance", is the proposed budget for the next fiscal year starting October 1st and will undergo it's Third Reading on August 28, 2023. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, you are encouraged to share your thoughts with City Council. 

Read on for information on frequently asked questions (FAQ), how you can share your thoughts, and an interactive timeline of the Stormwater Drainage System Utility's progress.

  1. What is the Stormwater Drainage System Services user fee?
  2. How does this Stormwater Drainage System Utility benefit me?
  3. Why is the City proposing a Stormwater Drainage System Services user fee now?
View All

We want to hear from you!

If you want to share your thoughts about the Stormwater Drainage System Utility beyond Public Works, you can do so in the following ways:
  • Providing a public comment at City Council meetings by attending in-person or by submitting your comment to be read aloud by mailing it to PO Box 617, Lewiston, Idaho 83501 or emailing it to the City Clerk; or
  • Sharing your thoughts directly with your City Councilors

Public Education & Outreach Materials