The City of Salem provides its residents with a variety of stormwater services including drainage system maintenance, flooding response, regulatory compliance, capital improvements, street sweeping, and much more.

Historically, Salem's stormwater services has been paid for by the City's wastewater (sewer) rate payers. However, there is no relationship between wastewater fees paid by the rate payers and the stormwater services received.

In December 2010, City Council approved creation of a stormwater utility and implementation of a separate stormwater rate that more equitably relates the stormwater fees to the stormwater services received. The stormwater utility does not provide a new source of revenue, but represents a more fair way of recovering the costs for stormwater services, services that are already being provided by the City.

The ordinance establishing the creation of a stormwater utility delayed initial implementation until January 1, 2013. When implemented, the stormwater fee was phased in over four rate cycles, which took a total of three years to complete. Since 2016 we are at full implementation of the stormwater fee.

The stormwater collection system that must be maintained consists of more than:

• 85 miles of ditches
• 90 miles of streams
• 420 miles of pipe
• 900 detention basins
• 22,000 storm drainage structures

Salem’s stormwater programs include a variety of activities and projects, such as:

• Stormwater system operation and maintenance
• Stormwater quality and monitoring
• Public education and involvement
• Street sweeping
• Stream cleaning
• Spill response
• Municipal regulations
• Stormwater complaint response
• Inspections
• Capital projects

Additional Resources

• Statesman Journal Editorial - Stormwater 2010-2012
• Stormwater Design Handbook for Developers and Large Projects
• Stormwater Design Handbook for Home and Small Projects
• Stormwater Utility Credit Information
• Stormwater Utility Fact Sheet
• Stormwater Utility Fact Sheet - Spanish
• Stormwater Utility 2012 FAQ
• Stormwater Utility 2012 FAQ - Spanish
• Stormwater Utility Information Report 2012

Utility Rate Credit

Apply for a Stormwater Credit

Stormwater utility accounts may be eligible to receive stormwater credits under specific provisions. There are two separate processes to apply for a stormwater credit depending on your account class. Please visit the Stormwater Credit page for more information.

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