Rauma Examines the Possible Introduction of a Stormwater Fee
News
The City of Rauma’s Technical Committee will on Tuesday, 27 October, 2026 discuss the responsibility and financing model for stormwater management as well as the possible introduction of a public stormwater fee. No decision on the introduction of the fee has been made. The amount, criteria for determining the fee, and the area of effect would also be decided at a later stage.
Stormwater refers to rainwater and meltwater accumulating in built-up areas. It also includes drainage water from building foundations. Stormwater management aims to collect and delay stormwater flows and to reduce the damages and flood risks they cause in urban environments.
According to the Land Use and Building Act, municipalities are responsible for arranging stormwater management within local detailed plan areas. The legislation also allows municipalities to charge an annual stormwater fee from properties located within the operational area of the municipal stormwater system.
Rauma Water owns and maintains most of the stormwater sewer network, pumping stations and property connection chambers. The starting point of the preparation is that Rauma Water would continue to be responsible for the stormwater sewer network, while the city would be responsible for the other parts of the municipal stormwater system. An agreement between the two parties would be prepared to define, among other things, responsibilities and cost sharing.
Who Would the Potential Stormwater Fee Concern?
The stormwater fee could be charged from properties located within the operational area of the municipal stormwater system, consisting mainly of local detailed plan areas and comparable building plan areas.
The fee could also apply to properties that are not connected to the stormwater sewer network. The stormwater system benefits properties across the area as a whole, since measures such as street drainage, open ditches, culverts and flood routes help reduce the harm caused by stormwater even outside the sewer network.
Amount of the Fee Will Be Decided Later
The amount and criteria for the stormwater fee will be specified during the preparation process. When determining the fee, factors such as a property’s use, size, the volume of stormwater generated, and the related benefits received from the stormwater system could be taken into account.
The Technical Committee will later decide on the euro-denominated tariff, operational area, fee categories and possible grounds for discounts or adjustments. At the same time, cost and revenue estimates will be refined.
According to a preliminary assessment, the stormwater fee could generate approximately EUR 700,000–900,000 annually. The study estimates that the stormwater drainage costs allocated to Rauman Vesi, including both investments and operating expenses, amount to approximately EUR 300,000–600,000 a year. These assessments will be refined as the preparation continues.
The revenue from the fee would be used to cover the city’s stormwater system costs, to pay compensation to Rauma Water for the drainage of stormwater from public areas, and to cover Rauma Water’s accumulated deficit in stormwater operations.
After the Technical Committee’s discussion, the matter concerning the possible introduction of the stormwater fee will proceed to the City Board and subsequently to the City Council for consideration.
