In December 1999, the Lakeland City Commission adopted the Stormwater Utility to provide a dedicated funding source for operation and maintenance of our City’s stormwater system (to include extension and replacement), pollution abatement devices, and lake improvement projects.

Stormwater has been identified as the number one (#1) source of lake and waterway pollution in the U.S.A. - even above industrial pollution.

Our lakes are one of our community's greatest assets. They provide us with recreational opportunities and are the natural habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife that depend on the lakes for their survival. Left untreated, stormwater runoff will continue to pollute our lakes. By managing stormwater now, we can protect our lakes from further pollution and improve the overall water quality.

Customers that have qualifying on-site stormwater facilities may be eligible for a credit or exemption toward their utility fee. To be considered for a credit or exemption, customers need to complete a credit application form.

The Stormwater Utility is a unit within the City that provides stormwater management. Like water, wastewater, solid waste, recycling, and electric utilities, the Stormwater Utility generates its revenue through user fees. These fees are used for construction, maintenance and operation of stormwater management devices, for stormwater systems planning and for lake management.

The utility fee is included as a separate item on the utility bill received for municipal water, wastewater, solid waste, recycling and electric services. It is due each month through the monthly utility payment.

All developed properties within the City limits that receive an electric utility bill are subject to a stormwater utility fee. This includes residences, businesses, churches and schools.

The fee is $6.00 per month for single-family residential customers. Mobile homes and attached multi-living residential units are assessed $4.00 and $3.50 per month, respectively.

Fees for non-residential customers are based on the amount of impervious (pavement, roofs, sidewalk) area on the property. These customers are assessed a monthly rate of $6.00 per 5,000 square feet of impervious area.

1. Pollution - As stormwater runs-off of 'impervious' surfaces (e.g. building/house rooftops, streets, parking lots, and driveways) it picks up contaminants and debris such as oil, grease, fertilizers, pesticides, litter, leaves and grass clippings. This stormwater runs through the miles of ditches and underground pipes that all lead to our lakes, streams and wetlands. There it deposits the pollution that eventually will make its way to the underground aquifer, where our drinking water comes from. We need better pollution control and stormwater treatment to reduce this contamination.
2. Runoff - Heavy rains cause flooding in some areas of Lakeland. The combination of flat terrain and limited natural or man-made stormwater drainage systems results in flooded streets, yards, and occasionally a home or business. The City has worked hard to solve this problem, but there are areas yet to be addressed.
3. What types of Projects are planned?
   The Stormwater Utility provides the funding necessary for a long-term commitment to improving water quality in Lakeland's lakes. A 20-year comprehensive lake management plan was completed in 1996. The planning document identified a program for maintaining our stormwater infrastructure, providing for stormwater treatment and restoring our lakes.