About the Program

In 1990, the Board of County Commissioners recognized the need to address major issues with stormwater and its related pollution problems within Brevard County. They decided that a dedicated funding source was needed in order to manage stormwater and therefore, implemented the stormwater utility and created the Watershed Management program to administer it.

To provide the opportunity for a regional approach to stormwater management, the city of West Melbourne and the town of Malabar joined the Brevard County stormwater program in 1999 and 2000, respectively. The County plays the role as program administrator, ensuring that the policies, procedures and practices of the utility are consistent with those of the existing program. Both the County and cities enjoy numerous benefits from reduced administrative costs, improved regional coordination and more efficient project implementation with other partners. For more information on these cities, visit their websites listed below:

City of West Melbourne www.westmelbourne.org

Town of Malabar www.malabartown.org

The utility rate is a non-ad valorem assessment based on the equivalent residential unit (ERU). One ERU is equal to an average of 2,500 square feet of impervious area for a single residential property. All funds collected from the utility are used for the implementation and construction of capital improvement projects that address both water quality and quantity issues. Funds collected in a district or city will be used for projects benefiting the residents of that district or municipality. Currently, the utility is $36 for a single residential unit. To learn more about the projects being built with stormwater dollars, visit the completed and upcoming project sections of this website.

The program has also developed and implemented a Stormwater Utility Assessment credit program for owners of properties serviced by approved and maintained stormwater treatment systems. The policy provides a reduction in stormwater assessments for various levels of owner-implemented and maintained stormwater treatment. A compliance inspection program for proper maintenance of a treatment system is an integral part of this program.

You can also visit the Brevard County Web site at www.brevardcounty.us for more information on other County services and departments.