Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC)

The Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC), which appears as a line item on your tax bill was implemented to pay for the Stormwater Management Program. The program conducts structural maintenance of residential and associated non-residential stormwater facilities and is responsible for water quality improvements in the county. The law authorizing the charge was passed by the County Council and signed by the County Executive after many years of hard work by citizens, County Council Staff, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), as well as other County agencies.

The WQPC is assessed to all residential properties and certain non-residential properties. The Charge Classification table below shows the charge assessed to each type of property.

*Impervious surfaces include roofs, driveways, parking lots, and streets. Impervious surfaces prevent precipitation from soaking into the ground, This excess water carries pollutants into streams and rivers. See the WQPC FAQ for more information.

**Single family home owners and townhome owners are not eligible for the refund because they are assessed a flat fee, that is not based on the calculation of impervious surface.

The WQPC is based on the amount of impervious surface of the property and computed as equivalent residential units (ERUs). In Levy Year 2009, DEP completed the impervious surface area calculations for all of the properties in the county.

In Levy Year 2008, the County issued refunds and credits to some homeowner associations, apartment building owners, condominium owners, and commercial property owners charged the WQPC. Refunds were issued for any dollar amount over $100 and credits were issued for under $100. For property owners eligible for a WQPC credit, the credit was applied toward Levy Year 2009's tax bill.

In order to reduce the extent of the charge in Levy Year 2009, the County Council approved to phase-in impervious surface area increases over the next three years to multi-family property owners. Therefore, this category of property owners will be charged 1/3 of the increase for Levy Year 2009, 2/3 of the increase for Levy Year 2010, and 3/3 the increase in Levy Year 2011. This phase-in is applicable to multi-family property owners only. The County Council approved a one-time waiver in Levy Year 2009 on the impervious area increases for associated non-residential properties.

To determine if your property have received a credit, click on the adjustment tab on this web page and enter either your Tax Account number or street address. If you have additional questions, please call the WQPC hotline at 240-777-7763 or email askdep@montgomerycountymd.gov.