Stormwater Utility Program
Frequently Asked Questions
The Village of Hoffman Estates is changing the way we manage and sustain preservation of the stormwater management system in our community. As a community ages, roads, sidewalks, bridges, water mains, sanitary sewer pipes and stormwater systems all require maintenance and, eventually, replacement. Underground pipes are not as visible as roads but they also require ongoing maintenance to serve our residents.
Because the Village is now more than 50 years old, portions of the stormwater system are beginning to fail. Therefore the Village has committed to improving its stormwater system. Water and sanitary sewer repairs and replacements are funded through a portion of the monthly water bills. One of the first steps the Village is taking towards stormwater system improvement is to evaluate the entire storm sewer system starting in the older sections of the Village to further define the maintenance and replacement needs. The Village is already aware of major corrugated metal culverts that are failing and need replacement.
In order to be able to fund necessary improvements, a stormwater utility fee was adopted by the Village in November 2013 as part of the budget process. The fee became effective March 1, 2014.
These frequently-asked-questions will help to explain the purpose and need for the new stormwater utility program:
Pervious surface areas include undeveloped lands, lawns, gardens, and other forms of vegetative cover allowing runoff to infiltrate the ground surface and flow through the upper soil surface. More infiltration of surface water equals less demand and use of the storm system. Optimally, water can slowly penetrate the Village’s predominate clay barriers to get to the ground water table.
1. Aging infrastructure: The Village is over 50 years old and has infrastructure that is in dire need of rehabilitation or replacement.
2. Equity: The size of each property determines the amount of stormwater that runs off each property, providing the most equitable way to fund the stormwater program.
3. Competition for funds: As with other infrastructure programs, stormwater program costs can be reasonably and fairly quantified and distributed among users.
4. Mandatory programs: The Village is subject to a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit and is required to implement six minimum control measures as defined by the state and federal government to manage the quality of stormwater runoff.
5. Accountability and transparency: The stormwater utility program is dedicated to funding specific projects, and therefore, residents can see exactly how the Village is using the revenues that are collected.
The fee is calculated differently for single family homes and townhomes versus all other non-residential property owners.
Single Family and Townhome Residential: The ordinance states that stormwater utility fees for single family/duplex/quads/townhome properties’ are based on the size of the property according to the following tiers:
| Tier | Lot Size | Monthly Fee | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier One | Up to 7,500 Square Feet | $3.50 | $42.00 |
| Tier Two | 7,501 to 12,500 Square Feet | $6.00 | $72.00 |
| Tier Three | Greater than 12,500 Square Feet | $8.50 | $102.00 |
To simplify administration, residential properties were grouped into tiers based on lot size. The number of residential lots in the Village made the calculations enormous. Most residential lots have similar amounts of impervious areas.
Non-Residential property as well as condos and apartments: For non-residential and other properties, the stormwater utility fee is based on the total amount of impervious area. The amount of impervious area on each nonresidential property is calculated using aerial photography. The base rate is $6.00 per month per 3,300 sq. ft. of impervious area which is approximately the same amount for an average single family property. The Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) is the basis for determining the Stormwater Utility Fee for a non-residential parcel. Three thousand three hundred (3,300) square feet of impervious area shall be equal to one (1) ERU. The number of ERUs attributed to nonresidential, condo or apartment parcels are determined by dividing the parcel’s total impervious area (in square feet) by 3,300.
An example calculation of the proposed stormwater utility fee for a non-residential parcel or other property with 25,000 sq. ft. of impervious area is provided below.
25,000 SF × 1 ERU (3,300 SF) = 7.57 ERUs;
7.57 ERUs * $6/month = $45.42 per month or $545.04/year.