Preguntas más frecuentes

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.

Los cargos se basan en la superficie impermeable de una propiedad, como techos, entradas para vehículos, patios, aceras, estacionamientos y otras áreas pavimentadas. La facturación se calcula utilizando una Unidad de Servicio Equivalente (UEE):

• 1 ESU = 3000 pies cuadrados de superficie impermeable (una parcela residencial unifamiliar típica se factura como 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:     100 Main 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.

Las facturas de aguas pluviales vencen el 1 de marzo y el 1 de septiembre de cada año. Si la fecha de vencimiento cae en fin de semana o día festivo, el pago vence el siguiente día hábil. La primera fecha de vencimiento se ha extendido 60 días debido a un retraso en la facturación.

• Se agrega un cargo por pago atrasado del 10% (mínimo $1.00) a las cuentas luego de 21 días de atraso.
• Las cuentas impagas durante 40 días pueden generar un gravamen sobre la propiedad y acumularán intereses a una tasa que no exceda el 8% anual, calculada mensualmente.
• Los cheques devueltos están sujetos a un cargo de $32.00 y el pago se considerará vencido.

Puede solicitar una revisión o apelar su cargo dentro de los 60 días. Comuníquese con el Ayuntamiento para iniciar el proceso.

La aplicación permite a la Ciudad verificar la información de propiedad y facturación para garantizar que las cuentas sean precisas y estén asignadas a la parte responsable correcta.

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

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

Location: 
Town Hall, 100 Main Street