The City of Newton has adopted Stormwater Ordinances in order to properly manage stormwater in a responsible and sustainable manner. The City of Newton implements stormwater fees in order to fund stormwater services. There are stormwater credits available for properties that engage in stormwater best management practices.
Residential = $ 6.25 per quarter
Non-Residential = $ 37.50 per quarter
Much like the existing sewer and water utilities, a new program is underway to address the City’s STORMWATER needs and reduce the level of pollution in the City. This Stormwater utility enables the City to manage and upgrade stormwater infrastructure; street catch basins, drain pipes, and brook channels; and protect the City’s natural water bodies (e.g., Charles River and Crystal Lake) from potentially harmful elements in stormwater discharges. Other benefits include technical assistance with stormwater management questions, and educational programs for residents and schools.
(a) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into any public sewer any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, unpolluted industrial process waters or any other substances, waters or wastes which the commissioner or the M.W.R.A. has identified as likely, either singly or by interaction with other substances, to:
(b) Specifically, no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or wastes to any public sewers:
(c) Substances or materials with any or all of the following characteristics shall not be discharged into the public sewers without the approval of the commissioner and/or the M.W.R.A.
(a) Every estate whose building sewers discharge directly or indirectly into public sewers of the city, shall pay a charge for the use of main drains, stormwater facilities and sewage works.
(b) Sewer/Stormwater rates
(c) Such charges shall be reduced by a discount of thirty percent (30%) for those dwellings which are owned and inhabited by any person who is certified as eligible for the water discount program described in section 29-36(b).
Whenever the board of assessors determines that a person is eligible for such water discount program, such board shall also determine said person to be eligible for a discount from the sewer/stormwater use charges pursuant to this section, which certification shall continue for the same term as such person’s certification for the water discount program; and said board shall forthwith so notify the Water and Sewer Division. Upon receipt of such notice, the Water and Sewer Division shall take the steps necessary to so reduce the bills issued for the use of sewer/stormwater use.
(d) All bills issued under this section, properly numbered for identification, shall be made out in the office of the commissioner. Such bills, together with a warrant for their collection, shall be delivered to the comptroller of accounts for forwarding to the city collector-treasurer as soon as made out, and the city collector-treasurer shall thereupon assume responsibility for such collection. Bills shall be due and payable thirty (30) days from their issuance.
(e) All charges shall constitute a lien upon the land connected with the public sewer from the time of assessment and shall continue for the same period and under the same conditions as a lien established under General Laws, Chapter 80.
(f) If a bill for sewer use becomes a lien, it shall bear interest at the rate provided by law from thirty (30) days after the date of billing until it is committed as part of a tax.
(g) The occupant of any building shall be liable for the payment of the sewer use charge for such building, and the owner shall also be liable.
(h) Except where the properties served are owned, occupied and operated by one owner and not sublet to various tenants, the rates for each meter shall be figured independently of all other meters. In multiple tenant properties served by one meter, the rates shall be based upon water usage recorded from said meter billed to the owner accordingly.
(i) The commissioner is authorized to make abatements and rebates of charges when disproportionate to the service rendered. The commissioner shall certify to the comptroller of accounts the amounts of abatements and rebates for forwarding to the city collector-treasurer.
Any person found to be violating any provision of this chapter except Article IV: Drains shall be served by the city with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations.
Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit provided for in a notice, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00). Each day in which any such violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall become liable to the city for any expense, loss or damage occasioned the city by reason of such violation.
[Full Newton Water, Sewers, & Drains Ordinance Can Be Found Here]
The City of Newton offers abatements against the stormwater fee for stormwater service customers who undertake specific actions to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff on the public stormwater system, or provide an on-going benefit related to stormwater management. Abatements are evaluated based upon two categories 1) On-site stormwater management systems and 2) Stormwater Quality Treatment. Residential and non-residential properties may apply using the same form.
If a property owner, school or business wishes to obtain abatement for the storm drain fee, a completed application form with supporting documentation shall be submitted to the Stormwater Program Manager. Please attach to the application any plans, sketches or engineering reports that indicate the location of these structures (e.g., dry wells, leaching galleys, detention basins, etc.) and the area captured by these stormwater controls or best management practices.
The Stormwater Program Manager will review the application and conduct a site visit, if necessary, to determine the appropriate fee reduction based upon the following schedule.
Residential | Non-Residential | |
Roof runoff captured and infiltrated: | 25-50% | 25-50% |
Driveway/parking lot captured and infiltrated: | 15-25% | 25-50% |
Stormwater Quality (pre-treatment prior to entering public drainage system): | 10-20% | 10-20% |
Since house, building, driveway and/or parking lot areas vary greatly with the properties in Newton; a range of percentages is given so that a fair evaluation may be given to all applicants.
The following are examples of how the above rate structure may be applied:
The total number of deductions given to any property cannot exceed 75% of the stormwater fee for that property.
It is the responsibility of the property owner to apply for an abatement and to provide the necessary supporting documentation with the application. Abatement applications will only be reviewed if they are filled out completely. The review will be performed within four (4) weeks of receiving the application. Final approval of the abatement, if any, shall be made by the Commissioner of Public Works or his designee.