SWM Utility Rate Credit

Surface Water Management Credit Program

If the storm drainage system serving your property is designed, constructed and maintained to current standards you may apply for a SWM utility charge credit. If you have agricultural land and have an approved farm management plan you may also qualify. Participation in the credit program can reduce SWM utility service charges by 30 percent. There is also a 10 percent fee reduction that can be earned with an approved rain water harvesting system.

In 2017, the Pierce County Council approved changes to the credit program. Read about those changes here.

Application and Recertification Process

To receive a reduction of SWM Utility charge, the applicant must:

• Submit an application between Jan. 1 and Jun. 1 to receive credit for the following year. Applicants are encouraged to submit as early in the year as possible.
• Submit approved as-constructed plans, calculations and the operations and maintenance manual for the site's drainage system. All three documents must be stamped and signed by a licensed engineer certifying the system has been constructed and is currently functioning as designed.
• Provide documentation the county has legal access to the property to inspect the stormwater system. This can be the standard maintenance covenant recorded during the development process.
• Pierce County will perform a preliminary site assessment to verify conformance with as-constructed plans and maintenance standards. A site must meet current standards and have no maintenance deficiencies prior to acceptance into the program.
• Perform the required ongoing maintenance to keep the system functional, including periodic self inspections, keeping a maintenance log, and responding immediately to any maintenance deficiencies during the annual county inspections.

Additional Resources

• Pierce County Code 11.02 Storm Drainage and Surface Water Management
• Credit application  - fillable PDF
• Credit application instructions