The City of Falls Church’s new Stormwater Utility, a function of its Public Works Department, has mailed information to every City property owner, City Hall announced today. The information packet explains the importance of the utility, how the new annual fee is calculated, how a property owner can apply for credits, and more. Each mailing includes a sample Stormwater Utility bill with the projected fee for each property to which it is mailed. The first Stormwater Utility bill will be mailed in June 2014, with the second to follow in December 2014, concurrent with the twice-yearly real estate tax bill.

The City mailing urges property owners to review the information carefully and contact City staff with questions. Since it is a new fee, many citizens may react with “surprise,” and so the City staff is hopeful that this week’s mailing may get folks acclimated before they receive their actual bills, and to begin conservation efforts to earn credits against their bills as soon as possible.

In addition to this week’s mailing, the public is invited to an Open House on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in City Hall. City staff will answer questions, explain the credit program, and demonstrate the online mapping tool that allows property owners to view their impervious surface amount and corresponding fee. No registration is required.

Information is also available on the City’s website,www.fallschurchva.gov/StormwaterFunding.