In a decisive move to tackle Savannah’s longstanding flooding issues, the City Council has greenlit a new Stormwater Utility fee and service delivery plan. This initiative, approved on Thursday, is set to provide a robust solution to the city’s recurrent flooding problems.

“Our community has been urging us to address the persistent flooding challenges,” stated Mayor Van R. Johnson, II. “We can’t simply wait and hope for improvements. We pray, and we take action—this is the action part. I’m proud that the majority of this Council took responsibility, planned for the long haul, and made the crucial decision to equip Savannah with the necessary resources to safeguard our neighborhoods, businesses, and future.”

City Manager Jay Melder explained that the plan is designed to mitigate future flooding and implement a strategic approach to managing the city’s extensive infrastructure, which includes about 400 miles of pipes, 150 miles of ditches and canals, and thousands of catch basins.

“Historically, Savannah has tackled stormwater and flooding issues on a project-by-project basis, often dependent on limited or one-off funding sources,” Melder noted. “The Stormwater Utility introduces a sustainable, long-term strategy that allows us to maintain existing infrastructure, prioritize investments, and develop a system that is better equipped for future challenges. This marks a shift from responding to floods to actively preventing them.”

The newly instituted stormwater fee will be determined by the amount of impervious surface area on a property, which affects the volume of runoff generated and the resulting demand on the city’s stormwater management system.

The revenue generated will be used exclusively for stormwater operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance and capital improvement projects with a focus on flooding risk, improving system reliability and strengthening resilience citywide.

More information can be found at savannahga.gov/stormwaterutility.