Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)

The most commonly used method to determine storm water charges is square feet of impervious surface area.  Using aerial photography or field surveys, an average impervious area is established for residential lots.  All residential lots are assumed to equal one equivalent residential unit (ERU).  Nonresidential lots are assigned ERUs based on their individual impervious surface area divided by the square feet of impervious area in an average residential lot.  Charges are calculated by multiplying the unit rate per ERU times the number of ERUs each lot represents.

Because all residents benefit from an adequate infrastructure to protect streets, parks, and private property from flooding, erosion, and stagnant water all residents should be required to participate in cost recovery.  The fact that a particular property may not under most storm conditions discharge to municipal storm or sewer infrastructure is not ordinarily viewed as a basis for exemption from the charges.

The Village of Salem Lakes has an ERU appeal process in place.  Click on the documents below for steps in the process and the form to submit.