Duluth to adjust stormwater fees to fund needed improvements

Duluth is working to stay ahead of the city’s aging stormwater infrastructure. The city implemented a stormwater utility in 2011 to generate a funding source for making these kinds of improvements. As part of a recent Stormwater Asset Management and Capital Improvements Program, the city conducted a thorough reassessment resulting in recommendations for a price increase to help fund needed improvements. The new funding model will allow the city to make strategic, timely, and cost-conscious decisions about repairs to the city’s stormwater infrastructure over the next 15 years.

The new pricing established 1 equivalent residential unit (ERU) equals 2,997 square feet of impervious surface area, and the cost of 1 ERU will be $62 annually, previously $36 per year.

In addition, an attached single-family residential unit will be charged at a rate of .05 ERU for $31.00 annually, previously $14.40 per year.