F.A.Q

The Storm and Surface Water Utility is a NEW program that will help fund the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the Town’s stormwater drainage system. This system includes pipes, ditches, catch basins, and other facilities that manage rainwater, reduce flooding, and protect water quality. 

The utility ordinance became effective January 1, 2026, and a copy of the full ordinance can be viewed here.

As all developed properties contribute to stormwater runoff and benefit from the Town’s stormwater system, the stormwater fee is a newly established charge that provides a dedicated funding source to support ongoing maintenance and long-term system improvements.

Historically, the Town did not assess a separate fee for stormwater services because it operated both the sewer and stormwater systems. Following the transfer of sewer operations to the PUD, responsibility for stormwater services remains with the Town.

As part of this transition, the Town must modify existing connections that were originally constructed to discharge stormwater through the sewer treatment plant, since stormwater imposes an additional burden on the sewer system. In addition, ongoing maintenance expenses for the stormwater system can no longer be supported through the Town’s general fund as was done in the past.

Billing alone costs the Town approximately $5,550 annually, including expenses for supplies, staff time, and the accounting module required to administer the billing process. ​

Other maintenance expenses include unclogging storm drains and repairing pipes, ditches, catch basins, and other facilities that manage rainwater, reduce flooding, and protect water quality. In addition to routine operating expenses, the Town anticipates large capital costs associated with modifying existing connections that discharge through the sewer treatment plant per requirements of the PUD.

To minimize expenses, the Town chose to include all relevant information on the first bill, and to extend the deadline for the initial payment by 60 days to provide customers with extra time to review the information and ask questions.

The Town Council also discussed the stormwater ordinance at multiple meetings throughout 2025, and meeting packets are always made publicly available online and provide detailed information regarding items presented for discussion. Residents may also subscribe to receive these notices by email each month.

The ordinance was adopted following votes in October and November and was subsequently published in the Wahkiakum Eagle on December 4, as required by law.

The cost to publish the notice in the Eagle was $155. Printing and mailing paper notices to each customer would have cost an additional ~$700 for supplies, postage, and staff time to prepare, fold, stuff and label approximately 350 notices and envelopes.

Charges are based on the amount of impervious surface on a property, such as roofs, driveways, patios, sidewalks, parking lots, and other paved areas. Billing is calculated using an Equivalent Service Unit (ESU):

• 1 ESU = 3,000 square feet of impervious surface (a typical single-family residential parcel is billed 1 ESU)

Residential accounts are assessed one ESU, which represents an estimated 3,000 square feet of impervious surface area.

• $14.00 per month per ESU, billed semiannually at $84.00 per billing cycle, plus a 6% utility tax that is applied to the utility’s gross receipts and appears on your bill at a rate of 6.38%.

Commercial, multifamily, and other non-residential parcels are billed based on their measured impervious surface area, divided by the ESU and rounded to the nearest one-tenth. Undeveloped parcels and parcels located within flood control districts are not charged. 

Commercial billing has been delayed and is anticipated to be issued in March.

The property owner is responsible for payment. Bills may be mailed to a tenant or agent, but the owner remains responsible for any unpaid charges. Please contact our office for any account changes.

Payments can be made via cash, check, or money order only in-person, dropbox, or mail to:
Please note that Town Hall will be relocating to 100 Main Street in March. Until then, we are located at 25 Broadway Street.

Due to the costs associated with having an online bill pay system, and given that this charge is billed on a semi-annual basis rather than monthly, the Town will no longer offer online payment or automatic payment options. Customers may, however, arrange recurring check payments through their financial institution’s bill pay service.

Stormwater bills are due on March 1 and September 1 of each year. If the due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, payment is due the next business day. The first due date has been extended by 60 days due to delayed billing.

• A 10% late fee (minimum $1.00) is added to accounts after being past-due for 21 days.
• Accounts unpaid for 40 days may result in a lien on the property and will accrue interest at a rate not exceeding 8% per annum, calculated monthly.
• Returned checks are subject to a $32.00 fee, and the payment will be deemed past due.

You may request a review or appeal your charge within 60 days. Please contact Town Hall to begin the process.

The application allows the Town to verify ownership and billing information to ensure accounts are accurate and assigned to the correct responsible party.

Impervious Surface: Any hard-surfaced area that prevents or limits water from soaking into the ground, causing increased runoff. Examples include rooftops, concrete/asphalt paving, walkways, patios, driveways, parking lots, and similar surfaces.

Single-Family Residential Parcel: A parcel improved with one dwelling unit owned separately. If more than three dwelling units occupy the same parcel, the parcel is considered non-single-family (“commercial”) for billing purposes.

ESU: Equivalent Service Unit

Town Limits Map

Town of Cathlamet
360-795-3203 x2
accounting@townofcathlamet.com

New Office Hours:  
Tuesday–Thursday, 8:00 am–12:00 pm and 12:30 pm–3:30 pm

Temporary Location (next 1–2 months):  25 Broadway Street
Future Location:  Community Center, 100 Main Street