Stormwater PROGRAM Home Page

The Town of Colchester adopted a stormwater program in 2017 to better address our community’s water quality needs. This program collects fees from all property owners to improve stormwater management throughout the Town and to ensure that the Town is meeting environmental requirements set by the State and Federal Government. These fees are collected via annual bills issued in January.

What is "stormwater"?

When rain falls, it is usually absorbed into the Earth unless there is something covering the ground, like a driveway, parking lot, building, or some other compacted or impervious surface. This water that cannot be absorbed by the ground is called stormwater. Larger sites and roadways use drainage systems to direct stormwater to waterways.

Why is stormwater a problem?

When stormwater flows over land, it picks up naturally occurring and human-made pollutants like automobile fluids, pesticides, fertilizers, pet waste, bacteria, and sediment. Many of these pollutants contain Phosphorus, which is one of the largest threats to water quality in our region. These pollutants can eventually contaminate our streams, rivers, and Lake Champlain. Poorly managed stormwater can also lead to street flooding, insect infestations, standing water (which poses health risks), and property damage from basement flooding and erosion.

What is my fee?

The base fee for Fiscal Year 2025 is $61.00. Most residents will bay this base fee. Pay your fee here.

Properties with a significant amount of impervious surfaces on site, thus generating more stormwater runoff, will pay higher fees.

To see how your fee is arrived at, follow the flow chart below.

For a full list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

For swim water testing results, click here.