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Council told stormwater, wastewater fees must rise to meet regulatory and infrastructure needs
Summary
City staff proposed a $1-per-ERU monthly increase to stormwater fees and a $2.74-per-CCF monthly wastewater fee increase, citing EPA/DEQ mandates and a DEQ consent decree that staff say will require roughly $230 million in work by 2040.
City staff told the Hampton City Council that proposed increases to stormwater and wastewater fees are necessary to meet regulatory mandates and repair aging infrastructure.
City Manager Mary Bunting said, "The proposed fee increase of a dollar per ERU or equivalent residential unit per month addresses growing capital project cost, rising operational and maintenance expenses, and the priority to reduce neighborhood flooding with enhanced storm water systems." She added that the wastewater fee increase of "$2.74 per CCF per month" supports maintenance, construction projects and regional regulatory compliance.
Bunting and staff pointed to federal EPA and state DEQ requirements aimed at improving Chesapeake Bay and basin water quality as drivers for the increases and cited a regional DEQ consent decree that staff said requires Hampton to spend roughly $230,000,000 by 2040, including about $106,000,000 between FY25 and FY30. Staff framed both the fee changes and Resilient Hampton bond investments as part of a coordinated strategy to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and harden community assets.
The proposal will be part of the manager's recommended budget materials released April 15 and discussed at the April 23 public hearing. Council members may ask for additional detail on the fee structure and expected household impact during upcoming hearings.
