Louisiana is the #1 state in rainfall and has a massive litter problem. Together, this causes flooding. Proven in other states, permanently funded stormwater management programs help manage and minimize both flooding and litter.

Band-aid fixes and one-time monies are not the answer. Local communities in Louisiana that face flooding and litter issues can now permanently fund stormwater management programs.

In 2022, Louisiana became the 42nd state to declare stormwater a utility. This “local option” legislation provides a reliable mechanism to communities to permanently fund a stormwater management program to address water quality (litter and water pollution) and water quantity (flooding) issues.

Permanent funding is critical for bonding capital improvement projects and attracting federal grants needed to sustain stormwater managment plans.

The beauty of stormwater management is programs can be “customized” to meet a community’s needs. Fee amounts usually reflect stormwater problems and local political realities. Grants, private dollars and community partnerships help keep fees low and reasonable.

The most successful programs define their stormwater problems, educate key stakeholders about the problems and needs then work together to devise a simple fee. In Louisiana, once a stormwater fee is determined by community leadership, it must be approved by a one-time public vote. In addition, the most successful programs are operated by stormwater experts and include citizen accountability.

Stormwater Utility Survey Results

According to a University of Western Kentucky 2024 stormwater utility survey, 42 states have a stormwater utility (SWU) in place. East Baton Rouge was the first parish in Louisiana to create a SWU district but has yet to implement a fee.

We look to Florida — one of the leaders in stormwater management — because it has similar topography and precipitation levels to Louisiana. Over 30 years ago, Florida declared stormwater a utility to reduce litter on their streets and watersheds. The initial goal was to reduce litter by 50 percent and enhance tourism. Today, 214 Florida communities have stormwater management programs. Tourism flourishes, and litter has been drastically reduced. But the story gets better. What began as litter reduction programs are today called flood prevention and water quality programs, and their Community Rating System (CRS) has improved, which directly impacts insurance affordability.

According to the 2024 survey, SWU fees range from $2.00 to $50.00 per month. The survey graphic shows the spatial distribution of monthly fees. As observed in previous surveys, no state has all high fees. Even states with higher fees also have some utilities with much lower fees. The range of fee amounts usually reflects stormwater needs and local political realities. 

You can tell when you visit a city with a stormwater management program — the streets are clean, the watersheds look healthy, and there’s a real sense of community pride.