Surface Water Assessment

The Surface Water Assessment is a user fee for stormwater services in unincorporated Pinellas County, which addresses flooding, water quality and the operation of county-owned stormwater systems. The assessment is based on each property's impervious area, which includes all of the hard surfaces that do not absorb water, like parking lots and buildings. Impervious areas increase the amount of stormwater runoff, which is the cause of much of our flooding and pollution problems. The Truth in Millage notice contains the assessment on your property. Read the Frequently Asked Questions for an explanation of how the funding will affect surface water management. What does unincorporated Pinellas County Mean?

 

• Pinellas County Surface Water & You - Brochure

 

QUICK SEARCH Look up your current surface water assessment here.

Adjustments and Mitigation Credits Policy (policy updated 10-31-16) The County has developed an Adjustment and Mitigation Credit Policy that provides the details on adjustments and credits. This manual is intended as a guide for customers through the application process.  Applications are now accepted year-round. Credits and adjustments will be prorated on the current year’s tax bill based on date of approval.       Online Application or use the Printable Forms: Surface Water Assessment Adjustment - To adjust your square footage Apply Online here Apply using printable Adjustment form Surface water assessment mitigation - For properties with permitted and functional stormwater treatment facilities. Apply Online here Apply using printable Mitigation Credit Form     Application Tools: Mitigation Credit Calculator Credit Application Cost Benefit Analysis - Commercial Credit Application Cost Benefit Analysis - Residential Engineering Firms     Please call (727) 464-8759 for assistance with applications.     Do you qualify for an adjustment or a mitigation credit? Adjustments are changes to correct a customer’s impervious square footage, either due to a change on the property, such as removing a deck, the presence of previous pavement, or to a correction made by the Property Appraiser’s office on the parcel’s square footage information. All parcel’s impervious area information is either obtained through the Property Appraiser’s office or through measurements of digital aerial photography. Property owners who think there may be an error on their assessment should also use this process for corrections. Mitigation Credits may be offered for properties that can demonstrate through engineering plans and calculations that they reduce the burden to the County system (e.g. ponds or other stormwater features). Stormwater management systems are required to be in compliance with site plans and permits and properly maintained.

 

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Examples of assessments: residential

 

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Examples of assessments: commercial

 

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The challenges:

• Failing Pipes:
  • 24 miles of metal stormwater pipes in unincorporated Pinellas County are over 35 years old and are dangerously near the brink of failure.
  • Collapse of any section of the stormwater drainage system can impact roadways, drinking water pipes, sanitary sewer pipes, electrical and communications cables as well as private property.
• Flooding:
  • The county’s network of drainage ditches and canals are maintained on a 25 year cycle. Some of these waterways are so clogged up with debris and sediment that the flow of water is significantly reduced.

  • Unincorporated  Pinellas County Stormwater Maintenance Stats:

    • more than 323 miles of ditches
    • more than 390 miles of pipes
• Poor Water Quality:
  • Over 70% of lakes, streams and bays in Pinellas fall below water quality standards.
  • The state of Florida and the EPA require that standards be met or the County could receive significant fines and penalties.
  • Poor water quality has a significant impact on our quality of life and our tourism-based economy.

With sustainable funding, Pinellas County can implement cost effective preventative management programs:

• Repair the failing metal pipe network in 10 years.
• Establish a 10-year maintenance cycle for the open drainage network to increase flood protection for neighborhoods and improve water quality downstream.
• Avoid costly fines and penalties by implementing measures to reduce water pollution.

Funding Facts:

• A stormwater assessment on the property tax bill for residents of unincorporated Pinellas County only has been recommended as a way to fund surface water management activities.
• 65% of the total Pinellas County population already pays a fee for these services to their municipality.

 

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Informational:

• Help with Utilities - Financial Assistance
• Surface Water Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
• Surface Water Governance Study
• Surface Water Management - Workshop Presentation

Official Documents:

• Surface Water Assessment Master Utility Ordinance
  
• Surface Water Assessment 2013 Initial Rate Resolution
  
• Surface Water Assessment 2013 Final Rate Resolution
  
• Surface Water Assessment 2015 Preliminary Rate Resolution

 

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