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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.

料金は、屋根、私道、パティオ、歩道、駐車場、その他の舗装エリアなど、敷地内の不浸透面の面積に基づいて算出されます。請求額は、等価サービス単位（ESU）に基づいて計算されます。

• 1 ESU = 3,000 平方フィートの不浸透面（一般的な一戸建て住宅区画には 1 ESU が課金されます）

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.

雨水料金の支払期限は、毎年3月1日と9月1日です。支払期限が週末または祝日に当たる場合は、翌営業日にお支払いください。請求の遅延により、最初の支払期限は60日間延長されています。

• 支払い期日から 21 日経過すると、10% の延滞料金 (最低 1.00 ドル) がアカウントに加算されます。
• 40 日間未払いの口座がある場合、その物件に留置権が設定され、月ごとに計算され、年 8% を超えない利率の利息が発生します。
• 不渡り小切手には 32.00 ドルの手数料がかかり、支払いは期日超過とみなされます。

60日以内に料金の見直しまたは異議申し立てを行うことができます。手続きを開始するには、市役所までご連絡ください。

このアプリケーションにより、町は所有権と請求情報を検証し、アカウントが正確であり、適切な責任者に割り当てられていることを確認できます。

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