What is Storm Water?
Storm water is rain or other precipitation not absorbed into the ground. When pure rainwater falls on rooftops, driveways, streets and alleys, it can mix with materials like trash, chemicals and animal waste. The storm water then drains into a system of pipes that is separate from the sewage system. Unlike sewage, storm water is not treated as wastewater. Storm water flows directly into creeks and lakes that are drinking water sources. Storm water debris can also cause erosion and lead to flooding.
Storm Water Utility Fee
Frisco will collect a monthly storm water utility fee beginning October 1, 2009. The money collected will fund projects designed to help prevent flooding, protect creeks and reduce erosion. The new storm water utility fee will be charged on water customers' monthly bills.
The Frisco City Council adopted the fee in January 2009 in order to address state-mandated storm water regulations.
The new fee is based on average lot sizes and the lots’ structures. The average resident living in a house will be billed $2 more each month to cover the Storm Water Utility Fee.
Single-Family Residential Properties
| Monthly Fee |
Lot Size* |
| $1.20 |
< 5,000 sq. ft. |
| $2.00 |
5,000 - 20,000 sq. ft. |
| $3.85 |
> 20,000 sq. ft. |
Properties other than Single-Family Homes
| Monthly Fee |
Lot |
| $0.57 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
*Using Geographical Information Technology (GIS), city staff compared approximately 20,000 properties to determine the ‘average’ lot size and develop the tiered fee structure.
The collected fees will cover the costs of staff, equipment, regulatory fees and public education efforts as part of the City of Frisco’s Storm Water Management Program. Specifically, the new fee will be used to support a drainage crew, charged with maintaining and cleaning the city’s storm water system. City engineers will also use the fees to develop a Storm Water Master Plan, which will help engineers clearly identify areas that could potentially flood.
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Forms
Drainage Complaint Form
Storm Water Utility Fee Appeal Form
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Related Links
Frequently Ask Questions about Frisco's Storm Water Management Program
Texas SmartScape - Reduce storm water pollution
EPA - Preventing storm water pollution around the house