First Look at Chattanooga Water Quality Fee Credits Available to Business Owners

Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce President Tom Edd Wilson explains.  "Quite a few of our members have been asking questions about it. You know... Why now? Is there any sort of relief planned for it?"

There is some potential aid.  "There are credits that can be obtained. So if you think you may qualify to that, it's worth checking with that," adds Wilson.

Mounir Minkara is the city's Water Quality Manager.  He explains: "Facilities that have existing storm water controls like detention ponds, oil skimmers. They can apply up to 50% credit."

Businesses that are LEED certified or have other storm water mitigation features need to apply for this up to half-off credit.  "If you want to plant trees you get up to a 10% reduction for existing facilities," Minkara adds.

This Thursday the city will formally announce a credit for businesses without existing storm water controls. Minkara broke it down for WDEF News12 Tuesday.  "If you submit a proposal for retrofit you get up to a 75% reduction," explained Minkara.

Businesses should submit a proposal detailing how they'll reduce the city's storm water burden in the future.  "You get a one-time 75% for mitigation and then the following year you get up to 50% once you implement your plan," adds Minkara.

The storm water fee's endgame is cleaner water in our lakes and streams. So whether it's the city or an individual business controlling run-off, the result is the same.  "Any mitigation is good for the environment and is saving from the water quality fee," says Minkara.

"A lot of businesses may already have on site improvements they've made over time that qualify them for a lot of the credit and they just don't realize it," Wilson adds.

Wilson suggests contacting the city to find out how you can qualify.

To learn more and get application forms, click here for the Chattanooga Water Quality Fee page.